Gerrard can now axe £20m “mistake” by signing £15m ace who’s "capable of leading" AVFC - opinion

Italian football expert Conor Clancy has delivered his verdict on reported Aston Villa target Stefan De Vrij.

In a recent interview with Football FanCast, Clancy revealed that the Dutchman – who has been linked with a move to Villa Park – could offer Steven Gerrard’s invaluable quality both on and off the pitch, while also proving something of a coup at a reported £15m for a player of vast experience.

Asked whether the 30-year-old’s addition would prove to be a bargain buy for the Midlands outfit, the journalist said: “I think so. And the Villa project is interesting because they’ve got Steven Gerrard there and they’ve probably underachieved given the players that they have this season.

“But for a player like him to come in – because they are still relatively newly promoted into the Premier League – he’s the kind of player that can offer a lot in terms of he’s been there and done it all before with other clubs. He’s got a lot of experience and he’s capable of leading a team on the pitch.”

The arrival of the Inter Milan defender would no doubt enable the club to part ways with current captain Tyrone Mings, following reports that Gerrard is keen to move the 29-year-old on this summer following his dismal displays this term.

The 17-cap international has come in for fierce criticism from pundit Danny Mills this season, with the Englishman insisting that he has a “mistake in his game somewhere” and that the Villans need a “top-quality centre-half” in order to go to that “next level”.

The club captain has formed part of a backline that shipped 54 goals in the recent campaign – the tenth worst record in the division – with the current boss failing to settle on a regular defensive pairing, shifting between both Calum Chambers