Aston Villa loan players – The logical way to add quality to Villa’s first team?

Aston Villa loan players have been unlucky recently, but maybe they’re the answer now?

You would have thought that Randy Lerner, former chairman of a credit card company, would be an advocate of the loan system.  However, it seems that after the problems Villa encountered with Jermaine Jenas, and the failure of Simon Dawkins, loan deals are something to be avoided if at all possible at Villa Park.

In my opinion this approach is to the club’s detriment.  Villa need supplementary loans alongside youth acquisitions if Lambert is going to oversee a smooth transition of his ‘project‘. Many big clubs make use of loans when they are rebuilding their teams.  Liverpool for example with Moses. You can only buy so many players at one time, and loan deals offer worthwhile temporary solutions.  You can also hand players back if they don’t work out.

Why, then, buy a player you are not quite sure of on the basis that (i) they are cheap (ii) if they fail it doesn’t matter?  The players still have to be given a contract and wages and they prove difficult to sell unless they are a success.  Everton, for example, loaned Lukaku and Barry for the price Villa paid for Kozák.  Next season, if Martinez sells Baines as expected, Everton can supplement these players with other signings and maintain a high level of performance and league position.

Apparently Gareth Barry was offered to the club on loan this summer but Villa rejected the chance to take the player.  Sigh. Perhaps even more frustrating was the failure to bring in an attacking midfielder when one was desperately needed.  Tom Carroll was available until the very last minute but Villa didn’t try to loan him either.  Great little player.  Furthermore, earlier in the window, the likes of Lukas Piazon would have been a smart addition, if Lambert was, as claimed, waiting for the right player to become available.

Loaning players as a temporary solution is certainly better than leaving the squad short of players in crucial positions.

Villa should concentrate on quality not quantity in the next transfer windows.  Only add players that offer quality.  If no players are available, loan a quality player instead.