Despite the teams’ rivalry, Alan Hutton claims that Aston Villa and Unai Emery’s interest in “fantastic” Wolves defender Max Kilman could still have “legs.”
According to reports, Unai Emery’s team is vying with Manchester United and Newcastle United for the signature of the Wolves captain this summer as he is still being linked to a move away from Molineux [HITC, 6 April].
Despite their strong defensive performance this year, the Villans will lose Clement Lenglet when he returns to Barcelona in the summer. Tyrone Mings will also need time to heal from a knee injury that has kept him out of action for the entire campaign.
Hutton acknowledges that the rivalry won’t likely deter Villa, but he thinks Gary O’Neil will be hesitant to let go of the 26-year-old, and Villa Park’s close proximity to the player could be a “stumbling block” in the bargaining process.
Hutton said to Villa News, “It’s always a factor isn’t it.”
“He is a fantastic football player who has performed incredibly well, but selling to rivals in the Birmingham area and surrounding areas always adds a little something extra to everything that goes on.”
Aston Villa rivalry with Wolves could end hopes of securing summer transfer for Max Kilman
Kilman has been a stalwart in the Wolves backline for the last few seasons and his displays under O’Neil have been incredibly impressive so it isn’t a surprise to hear that the likes of Villa and Manchester United are keeping tabs.
While Pau Torres, Diego Carlos, and Ezri Konsa, among others, have performed well under Emery this season, it is unclear if the three players will be able to stay healthy and available for the entire campaign.
Villa has to get a replacement center-back ASAP if Lenglet’s switch isn’t permanent, and Kilman will be among the players that jumps out on the list. With any luck, the Villans can avoid the roadblocks and complete the sale.
Kilman’s January move to Wolves was not stopped by Morgan Rogers’ connections to West Brom, and Villa Park administrators will be hoping that the same holds true for Kilman.
Among other Aston
