Aston Villa: Gerrard 'needs to look at' key signing at Villa Park

Aston Villa are ‘going to need to look at’ bringing in a new centre-back before the transfer window closes, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Summer signing Diego Carlos is set for an extended period on the sidelines after he ruptured his Achilles’ tendon in the recent 2-1 victory over Everton, leaving a void in the heart of defence.

Villa confirmed that Carlos will need surgery to solve the problem before he embarks on a rehabilitation programme, meaning he could be set for an extended spell out of the starting lineup.

“It’s certainly a blow to lose a player of his importance. He had successful surgery yesterday, so it’s important that we look forward and try to be positive,” Gerrard said ahead of Villa’s recent trip to Crystal Palace.

“Each day that passes he’s closer to a return, and we’ll give him all the patience and support he needs from a medical point of view.”

Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa reformed their centre-back partnership against the Eagles, but with Kortney Hause only just returning from a big injury of his own, Gerrard may want to make further reinforcements.

Villa also have the versatile Calum Chambers to call upon at the heart of defence, though, so it remains to be seen what decision Gerrard makes.

Jones believes that the Midlands outfit will need to ‘get a new figure in that backline’ before September’s deadline as they aim to improve on a disappointing 2021/22 campaign.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “There are players, obviously, that are available right now.

“And that’s something they’re going to need to look at, primarily just to get a deal done to get a new figure into that backline after the setback they’ve had.”

French outlet So Foot have claimed that Marseille’s Duje Ćaleta-Car