Steven Gerrard told to make ‘solid’ Aston Villa January transfer decision

Former Aston Villa striker Kevin Phillips believes his old club would be wise to firm up their interest in Southampton’s defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu in the January transfer window.

Phillips, who enjoyed a prolific career in front of goal before starting his career in punditry, likens Romeu to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who also starred for the Saints in more than 100 appearances before joining Tottenham for a fee in the region of £15m in August 2020.

Villa are rumoured to have kept tabs on 30-year-old Spaniard Romeu over the past six months and, with boss Steven Gerrard armed with a significant transfer kitty, Phillips feels the Saints man could make a real difference to Villa were he to arrive in the West Midlands.

Phillips, who scored four times for Villa in 23 appearances between 2005-06, told Football Insider: “I think Romeu would be a solid option for Villa.

“He reminds me a lot of Hojbjerg. He is an eight out of ten every week but he will never be that player who pulls up trees. I wouldn’t say he ever stands out but he does the nasty side of the game – the tough, industrious side of things.”

A smart bit of business

Phillips, who bagged 22 goals for Southampton in 64 appearances immediately before his switch to Villa Park, added: “Villa will know what they’re getting. Romeu is an organiser and a leader. If Villa could secure his services, it’d be smart business. He gives you a platform to build off and allows other more offensive players to play.

“The more I think about it, the more he reminds me of Hojbjerg. It wouldn’t surprise me if he went and did well at Villa.”

What is Romeu’s contract situation?

Romeu, who has made 17 Premier League appearances this season, is contracted to the St Mary’s club until the summer of 2023.