Joleon Lescott: Man City to Aston Villa
The writing seems to be on the wall for Lescott at City. Despite clawing his way back into the side as of late, it’s clear that they need something else.
Links with his hometown team have been flying around for years, but the England man has always kept himself just out of the club’s reach, but at 30 years of age, and with City looking to reshape their squad, the time could be night for him to go home.
Villa will have to stay up first, though, but they will be having a clear out of their own. Darren Bent, Richard Dunne, Shay Given and Stephen Ireland are all thought to be moving on in the summer. Moves that will bring in fees in Bent and Ireland’s case, and free up a substantial chunk of space on the wage bill.
Lescott would be a crucial man for Villa as they’ve struggled with defensive stability this season. A young and often patchwork defence has seen them devoid of confidence for large parts of the campaign, but recently they’ve been able to shut teams out in the dying moments.
But Ron Vlaar’s injury problems, as well as his unsteady leadership have caused Villa problems and they have had to fast track Ciaran Clark and Nathan Baker into becoming regular starters and at times they’ve been overawed.
Lescott would be vital for the club, providing some much needed nous and experience in a side that is so desperately devoid of both.