Former Villa and England star speaks exclusively.
Speaking exclusively to OLBG.com, former Aston Villa centre-forward Emile Heskey says, signing Marcus Rashford “would be great,” but added, “the money could be better spent elsewhere.”
He’s fully behind a move to Villa for Jadon Sancho, and says, “Villa should definitely try and sign Marco Asensio permanently.”
He warns that losing Emi Martinez to Manchester United would be a “huge, huge blow” for Villa, and is against a Jack Grealish return: “I wouldn’t call for him to go back there.”
Heskey also insists Ollie Watkins should stay put at Villa, adding, “he’s integral to the way that they play.”
What should be the target for Aston Villa next season?
“Their target should be, again, looking at breaking into that top four. I played on the Villa team whose main aim was to try and be in that top four and get Champions League football and it’s not easy.
“It’s especially even harder now because you’ve got to match the PSR as well, which is crazy because Villa might need to sell some players to really get under that level, but really they need to kick on.
“They need to kick on and have another go. It was a fantastic campaign for them and you’ve got to take your hat off to Unai Emery.
“Villa are turning out to be everyone’s second team. Everyone’s looking at them as the one. It’s the way that they play, the intensity that they play at, the style of play that they play at. The manager’s really done well to bring that club to the forefront of where they should be, if I’m honest.”
Should Villa try and sign Marcus Rashford permanently?
“It would be great to say yes, but the reality is with the money that they’re going to have to spend to keep him, would it be better spent somewhere else? Marcus Rashford is a fantastic international player, a great player, but you’re going to have to really break the bank to afford him.
“Like I said, they’re struggling with the PSR as it stands anyway, so they just wouldn’t be able to do it. Unless they could possibly structure a deal that takes him on loan again, I would definitely do that.”
Jadon Sancho has been linked with Villa after his loan spell at Chelsea ended – would he be a good signing?
“Jadon Sancho is an interesting one because he’s a fantastic player and he’s shown that time and time again. He’s gone back to Dortmund and then got to a Champions League final. He’s gone to Chelsea and he’s got to the Europa Conference League.
“He’s done really well at Chelsea and done really well on loan to both of the clubs that he’s been at. So it’s been interesting to understand why it’s not happened for him at Manchester United and why, with the right structure and the right love, it’s happening for him at the other clubs.
“Marcus has shown that at Villa, going to Villa with the right manager, Unai Emry has done wonders for a lot of players. So he’ll be looking at that as well because he’ll want to get back onto the international scene.
“He’s not done with international football, so he’ll be looking at the international scene and saying, how do I get back onto there? Playing for a manager like that would definitely enhance that!”
Should Villa try to sign Marco Asensio permanently?
“They should definitely try and sign him permanently. He’s had a fantastic season again. To get him anyway was great and then with the season that he had.He would be someone that we’d be looking into.
“Again, it’ll have to match up with the PSR, wouldn’t it? Everything for Villa right now is the PSR. Can they match up with that? It’s fascinating because all the clubs were talking about how they have owners who can spend the money, but they just can’t spend the money.”
Emi Martinez has been linked with a £30 million move the other way to Manchester United – would that be a big blow for Villa?
“Huge, huge blow. He’s been a mainstay and an outstanding servant for Villa. I think there were some pundits that said he’s a great goalkeeper. It could be as much as 10 points. He’s probably been more than that. You know, he’s been fantastic.
“An interesting character, which most goalkeepers are, but yeah, flamboyant and someone who’s demanding and commanding in his area.You need that, you need that within a goalkeeper. Someone who’s commanding in that area, and he definitely is that.”
Would you back a sensation return to Villa Park for Jack Grealish?
“Going back to an old club is always an interesting one, isn’t it? There’s not many players that have gone back to a club and really lived up to expectations. I know Thierry Henry had a short stint back and that went well, but you’re not the same player and Jack Grealish isn’t the same player because he’s played in a different formation, a different role, a different strategy than what it was when he was at Villa.
“Villa are not the same side or the same structure as when he left as well. So it’d be an interesting one that if he ever did go back, where would he fit within that?
“Where would he play? Because again, we look at Pep Guardiola’s way of playing and it’s very structural. You’ve got to stay in your areas. However, Unai Emery is pretty similar, you’ve got to work his work rate and you’ve got to stay in the structure that he’s put out. So it would be interesting to see it.
“I wouldn’t call for him to go back there because there’ll be certain expectations from Villa fans that the Jack that left is the Jack that was coming back, but it’s not the case.”
Ollie Watkins continues to be linked with Arsenal – should Villa cash in on him this summer?
“No, I think he’s still got a massive role to play at Villa. He’s integral to the way that they actually play and when they’ve been doing well, he’s been integral to that. Running in behind, very aggressive and he’s a great finisher.
“So I don’t see why you’d want to sell someone like that. Unless your strategy is to generate money for something big.”
Emile Heskey was talking exclusively to OLBG.com
