Diego will be a Prem sensation, saysTerry
VILLA have been told Diego Carlos is a clear “upgrade” on their existing centre-back options – and will transform the team’s defensive record next season.
Steven Gerrard’s side shipped 54 goals in the Premier League last season on their way to a 14th-placed finish.
Villa have also added defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara and hope to bring in another left-sided defender before the end of the transfer window.
But Carlos, a £26 million addition from Sevilla, is the man expected to directly impact their goals-against column.
The 29-year-old Brazilian has passed up Champions League football to seal a dream move to the Premier League after a January switch to Newcastle fell through.
Carlos was an important member of a Sevilla defence which conceded the fewest goals in La Liga last term. His partnership with Jules Kounde, who is a target for Chelsea, has earned widespread recognition throughout Europe.
Right-footed but preferring to play on the left side of a centre-back pairing, it is unclear who Gerrard will prefer to pair Carlos with next season.
Club captain Tyrone Mings played 36 league games last season, while Calum Chambers provided competition for Ezri Konsa’s place after signing from Arsenal in January, before the latter suffered a knee injury.
La Liga pundit and former Wimbledon striker Terry Gibson says Carlos is a real coup for Villa, having turned down Champions League football with Sevilla in favour of moving to Villa Park.
“Oh, fantastic signing. With all due respect to Villa, I thought he would go to a Champions League team,” he said. “I am surprised he’s decided to drop out of that competition.
“£20-odd million is a really good signing, I think he’s a fantastic player. Another good profit made by Sevilla. He’s 29. So maybe that’s the reason why the fee is slightly lower than I expected.
“But, if there’s any Aston Villa fans listening, he’s a sensational centreback who’s built for the Premier League. He’s a man-mountain, he’s quick, good on the ball, loves defending, he’s aggressive.
“That’s a super signing for Aston Villa. That’s an upgrade on what they’ve already got, clearly.
“His partnership with Kounde, they complement each other so well. There’s five years in terms of age difference, with Diego Carlos older.
“He’s the one who looks bigger, he looks stronger and he’s an excellent defender.
“He would be a top signing for any European club. He is a sensational central defender.”
Carlos, who won an Olympic gold medal for Brazil alongside Villa’s Douglas Luiz, will hope to lift the club towards the European places next season.
Reports suggested Sevilla had demanded up to EUR50 million for Carlos in January, turning down a EUR35 million bid from Newcastle, but financial worries for the Spanish club allowed Villa to swoop in for a cut-price fee.