The free transfer Aston Villa and Steven Gerrard should go all out to complete in summer

Aston Villa are never far from their next piece of shrewd transfer business. From stellar signings to smart transfers for free, if there is a good deal on offer, the club won't hesitate to capitalise.

Steven Gerrard will be approaching his first summer transfer window in charge of the club, which could hint at mass movement once again, and Villa's current problems in midfield could be solved by one free transfer.

The 26-year-old Hoffenheim defensive midfielder could be the answer to Villa's midfield problems. He is also capable of playing as a centre-back and, therefore, offers a degree of versatility that Gerrard likes within his squad.

Grillitsch offers everything Gerrard would want from his deep-lying playmakers. Across Europe's top five leagues he ranks in the top ten percent for progressive passing distance, tackles and interceptions and progressive carries. Whilst also ranking in the top one percent for progressive passes, passes under pressure and pressures in the midfield third.

The player's immense passing ability, progressive play, defensive instinct and versatility make him a perfect option for Villa to turn to, whether they want him operating as the deep-lying playmaker or as a box-to-box in midfield.

The chart below outlines just how gifted Grillitsch is.

Obvious questions may be raised about his work-rate in terms of his pressures but these statistics have been taken from this season where he has operated as a centre-back for seven of his 12 appearances.

When operating as a genuine midfielder his pressures increased to 16 per game, which is still only in the bottom 30 percent of midfielders but given the role he plays in the holding role or as a deep-lying playmaker, pressuring his opponents isn't a