Aston Villa hatch Diego Carlos ‘plan’ as Premier League defender emerges as replacement option

Aston Villa have endured a mixed start to the season so far.

Steven Gerrard’s men have won one and lost one so far, but the biggest blow has come away from results on the pitch.

Villa have lost marquee summer signing Diego Carlos for the rest of the season due to an Achilles injury.

And they could now be forced back into the market as a result, short of a centre-back.

With that in mind, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Villa Park.

Diego Carlos replacement plan

Villa are said to be likely to explore loan deals following the loss of Diego Carlos.

According to the Express and Star, the Lions do plan to find a replacement to avoid finding themselves short at the back.

But given they have already spent £26million on Diego Carlos, and given the Brazilian will be back for next season, a loan deal appears the best option.

Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Calum Chambers are all options at centre-back, while Kortney Hause is also available following injury, but he could well depart this summer.

Holding option

Villa are likely to have a number of options as they look for a centre-back.

And one of the latest players to be linked - this time by Estadio Deportivo - is Arsenal star Rob Holding, who has played more of a supplementary role at Arsenal.

Villa star Chambers already has experience of playing alongside Holding, and that could help a smooth integration.

If Holding is not going to be a starter at Arsenal this season, which seems likely, he could become available, and more likely on loan.

The latter could suit Villa, who would be able to offer Holding more regular football, and, ideally, in the top half of the Premier League.

Having said that, Mikel Arteta is not likely to want to lose depth at centre-back himself, with his side competiting across a number of competitions this season, including the Europa League.