Chelsea prove Dean Smith's £20m Aston Villa transfer decision wrong

Brighton defender Adam Webster has been ruled out of the clash against Aston Villa this weekend due to a groin injury, which comes as a big blow for Graham Potter.

The 27-year-old has become a key figure in Potter's squad who have defied all expectations in the Premier League this season.

Webster joined Brighton in the summer of 2019 and was heavily linked with a move to Villa that same window.

Following Villa's promotion back to the Premier League, Dean Smith was out to better his defensive ranks and he identified Webster as the right fit to improve the club's prospects of survival.

Villa reportedly had a £12million offer for the centre-back rejected in June 2019 with Bristol City making clear their valuation was closer to £30million.

But while the Robins were confident of keeping Webster away from Villa’s clutches during the last three weeks of the transfer window, he was Premier League bound.

Brighton paid a then-club record transfer fee to sign Webster from Bristol, as he commanded a £20million price tag.

Graham Potter's style of play is one the ball-playing central defender is more than comfortable with and his impressive displays for the Seagulls are catching the eye of a number of top-flight clubs - including Chelsea.

According to the Mirror, Chelsea are considering a potential swoop in the summer for the Brighton centre-back.

The report explains that Webster is a player who’s under consideration for the Blues. Newcastle United are mentioned as potential suitors, too.

Newcastle hero Alan Shearer has given Adam Webster a glowing endorsement as the Magpies reportedly plot an ambitious summer swoop for the defender.

Shearer, who named the defender in his Premier League team of the week earlier this month, said: