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Why Bissouma is the missing piece for Villa as reinforcements arrive for Gerrard

Sumeet Paul

Following the arrival of Philippe Coutinho and with speculation over further signings, transfer target Yves Bissouma could arguably be the most important piece added to the Aston Villa squad.

Villa confirmed the arrival of Coutinho this week as the Brazilian took part in his first training session on Wednesday, while Sky Sports note that Lucas Digne is closing in on a switch to Villa Park too.

READ MORE: Talking tactics: Villa’s defensive frustrations overshadow silky ‘Gerrard ball’

Those are two important and quality signings to help Steven Gerrard stamp his mark on the squad and continue to implement the identity and style of play that he wants, but there is still a glaring issue in this Villa side that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

As per The Telegraph, Bissouma is on Villa’s transfer radar in a deal that could cost up to £40m if an agreement can be reached, and it’s hoped that we can complete what would be a superb transfer window this month if we can wrap up a deal for the 25-year-old.

Bissouma exactly what Villa are missing

The Coutinho signing is significant and crucial in many ways for Villa. Not only in terms of the quality and experience that he brings to the training ground and on the pitch, but also the profile that he has off it and what that does for the club globally in terms of building the fanbase and following.

It’s hoped that the 29-year-old Brazilian international brings real class to the side in the coming months and makes signing him on a permanent basis a no-brainer in the summer, as that will mean that he’s rediscovered his best form and Villa are in a strong enough position to convince him to stay and lead our project.

However, for all the positives and important aspects of that particular move, signing Bissouma could be the most important swoop we make this month given what he would bring to the Villa XI, and how it directly addresses a real problem that we currently have in the side.

As per the tweet below, Bissouma leads the way in various key categories when compared to the statistics of Marvelous Nakamba, John McGinn and Douglas Luiz so far this season.

Importantly, he is superior in many of the defensive aspects, and that is ultimately what Villa are missing as we need a defensive midfielder who can provide protection in front of the backline, impose himself on games and dominate that midfield battle to then give our attacking players the freedom to push on and win it.

None of the players that we currently have can do that in the same way a physical, athletic and composed Bissouma can do it, and he’s also more than capable of being a foundation on which we can start to build attacks given the accuracy of his passing.

This really would be another statement signing in its own right, and while we now boast some of the most exciting attacking talents in the Premier League when you consider Coutinho, Emiliano Buendia, Leon Bailey, Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins, it’s imperative that we get the balance right and Bissouma would undoubtedly help us become harder to beat and would add to a solid backbone of Gerrard’s preferred Villa XI.

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