Aston Villa certainly don’t appear to be strapped for cash this summer even without selling Jack Grealish, and with the calibre of players they have been linked with already, former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey isn’t sure if Will Hughes would start under Dean Smith.
Hughes has spent three seasons in the Premier League with Watford in the past and he failed to ever set the league alight with his highest WhoScored rating in the top-flight being 6.74, not something that screams European football.
That is likely going to be the aim for Villa next season but with Hughes being linked with a move, he would surely only be good enough for a rotation or cup game role, something that would not make sense for either club or player.
After being an integral part of Watford’s side earning promotion back into the Premier League, it would be a bizarre move to see Hughes throw away first-team football for a spot on Villa’s bench, as he would be unlikely be a regular starter, according to Howey who spoke exclusively to Football FanCast:
“I think he’s a decent player but is he going to go in there and be in the starting XI? I’m not too sure given the players that are in and around their midfield.”
Hughes has always been a constant performer for Watford in both the Premier League and Championship and he appears settled but with just one year left on his contract, the Hornets may look to sell him on and generate some funds for this summer.
At the moment, Villa can boast options such as John McGinn and Douglas Luiz but if they manage to bring in James Ward-Prowse, there is surely no chance Hughes starts ahead of any of those options.