Noel Whelan says Villa must replace ‘very good’ Luiz

Douglas Luiz has an uncertain future at Aston Villa as he’s struggled for consistency this season and is out of contract in little over 12 months. The 23-year-old remains a regular under Steven Gerrard but hasn’t been at his best in a makeshift role and may be replaced when the summer transfer window opens.

Gerrard recently admitted that while Luiz is a ‘very good’ midfielder, there’s been no progress on contract talks, so Villa might have a decision to make at the end of the season. Either they sell the Brazilian international or risk losing him for nothing next season. Noel Whelan says signing a defensive-midfielder will be a priority for Gerrard as a result.

He told Football Insider: “Holding midfield could be another priority, we’ve seen Douglas Luiz be linked with a move away. I think (that) addition, if (it’s) of a real top quality, could allow them to push for that top six – especially after a full pre-season with Gerrard.” Villa have been linked with a host of players capable of shielding the back four.

Olympique Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yves Bissouma and Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips are among the players on Gerrard’s wishlist, so it remains to be seen who he’ll end up with. The goal is to finish in Europe next season, so Villa must bolster any weak areas in the squad.

In other news, Noel Whelan says Aston Villa must sign defender to ‘crack top-six’