STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Bet365 Stadium on December 23, 2020 in Stoke on Trent, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
According to Birmingham Mail, Tottenham outcast Dele Alli has been linked with a move to Aston Villa. The midfielder has struggled to get minutes this season under Jose Mourinho after falling out with him. Villa on the other hand could look to add a few names in this month as their fans believe Alli can be a good signing for the side.
It might be hard to believe that a side which escaped relegation by a point a few months ago is now high up the table above some of the traditional heavyweights. Yet, Aston Villa have done that in style this season.
Their squad has performed well over the season as the likes of Jack Grealish, John McGinn and Douglas Luiz have reached new levels while new signings like Ollie Watkins and Ross Barkley have settled in well.
However, apart from the likes of Barkley (who is on loan from Chelsea), there are no specialist playmakers in the squad. Adding another player in that ilk could be a very useful move for the side.
The Englishman may have fallen out of favour at Spurs but there is no doubting his qualities. Not so long ago, he was one of the best midfielders in the league right at the heart of Spurs’ meteoric rise under Mauricio Pochettino.
It’s been a sharp fall from grace for Alli, who was once regarded as a rising star in the league. Somehow, he currently finds himself on the fringes of Mourinho’s high flying team, with just 472 minutes of action from 12 games.
It would be in his best interests to go for a spell away from Spurs and rediscover some of his old form. Aston Villa might just be the place to do that.
With Barkley at the club still on a loan basis, it makes a lot of sense for Dean Smith and Villa to go after another established Premier League playmaker.
The 24-year-old Englishman wouldn’t have much problem settling in given he knows the league inside out. As Aston Villa aim for the European spots, Alli’s signing could be a significant boost for them.