Villa are reportedly interested in bringing Barcelona deputy centre-back Gabriel Milito to Villa Park as the Argentinian looks to secure regular first team football with the possibility of taking the smallest step down possible in joining what is expected to be somewhat of a revolution under Gerard Houllier next season! The 30-year-old has featured under Guardiola on 11 occasions in all competitions this term, but having only completed the 90 minutes three times, is keen to move away and is being touted for sunny pastures new in the Midlands. Villa are apparently hopeful that the Spanish giants will allow the defender to leave on a free transfer, despite his contract not running out until 2012, successfully recouping a grand total of nothing on their 20m euro investment in 2007 (didn’t really pay off did it!) A cruciate knee ligament injury kept the Argentine national stopper, who has made 34 appearances for his country scoring 1 goal, out of action for nearly 2 years and effectively hampering his chances at the Nou Camp. His big money signing came off the back of impressive form for Real Zaragoza and Milito was able to earn 42 appearances in his first full season at the club. Since, he has been kept out by old hand Carlos Puyol and sufficiently younger hand Gerard Pique, picking up 70 appearances in his 3 seasons, 15 of which were in the Champions League, netting twice and receiving 11 cautions. The link may well suggest that one of Villa’s current centre-halves is surplus to requirements, with many touting this to be Richard Dunne, despite a decent return to form since falling out with the management at the end of last year. Worth it on a free? One would think so, but is he really any better than what we already have?
