" ASTON VILLA AFTER CONNOLLY? "

Villa scout Championship pacesetters

Aston Villa, February 13, 2013

Villa are still on the look-out for bargain buys from the Championship with Cardiff City's Matthew Connolly recently under scrutiny.

Villa had a scout at Huddersfield Town's John Smith's Stadium on Saturday to see a goalless draw between the Tykes and Championship leaders Cardiff in which Connolly, 25, impressed.

The former Arsenal and QPR centre-back has been a key component of Malky Mackay's promotion favourites this season as Cardiff boast the second best defensive record in the division.
Connolly, who had a loan spell at Colchester United in 2008 - a few months before Villa boss Paul Lambert took the managerial role at the Essex club - has started 25 games for Cardiff this term.
He has earned a reputation for being a leader and a good organiser at the back as Cardiff have posted three clean sheets in their last four Championship matches. He has also scored four goals - all from set pieces.
Lambert knows he must solve his side's defensive shortcomings, particularly at defending set-pieces and may be looking at Connolly as a potential signing should Villa go down in May.

Villa scout Championship pacesetters

Aston Villa, February 13, 2013

Villa are still on the look-out for bargain buys from the Championship with Cardiff City's Matthew Connolly recently under scrutiny.

Villa had a scout at Huddersfield Town's John Smith's Stadium on Saturday to see a goalless draw between the Tykes and Championship leaders Cardiff in which Connolly, 25, impressed.

The former Arsenal and QPR centre-back has been a key component of Malky Mackay's promotion favourites this season as Cardiff boast the second best defensive record in the division.
Connolly, who had a loan spell at Colchester United in 2008 - a few months before Villa boss Paul Lambert took the managerial role at the Essex club - has started 25 games for Cardiff this term.
He has earned a reputation for being a leader and a good organiser at the back as Cardiff have posted three clean sheets in their last four Championship matches. He has also scored four goals - all from set pieces.
Lambert knows he must solve his side's defensive shortcomings, particularly at defending set-pieces and may be looking at Connolly as a potential signing should Villa go down in May.

We wouldn't want to sell and he wouldnt be cheap... also why would he swap Cardiff in the Prem for Villa in the Championship...

I think it would be silly to sell him if we went up, maybe loan him out to the championship (villa) if he doesn't cut it in the first few games, but i think he deserves a chance in the prem as if we win the league this year it'll be the 3rd championship title he has in as many seasons without getting a prem game!

Personally i think hes going to be a bench player next season in the prem for us (IF we get there)

Aston Villa can f**k off

As if Villa are looking for potential signings now for the possibility that they will be relegated What a pathetic story

very impressed with connolly this season,he deserves and im sure will get a chance to prove himself at the top level next season if all goes to plan

Bargain of the season IMO, nice to have a CB that likes to get the ball down.

Bargain of the season IMO, nice to have a CB that likes to get the ball down.

definetly
much better on the ball than ben turner

Nothing to worry about there. Villa are going down and we are going up.

He's obviously being viewed as a lucky promotion charm could be worth a fortune?

I certainly wouldnt sell him

Though Huddersfield were known as the Terriers.

aston villa are restructuring their club, we will spend when we go up, and i dont see why connelly should move.....

to a more stable, safe PL club yes, of course he would go, but villa, nah not for me

Villa are going down so i dont think it will happen

I think he would do 10 times better than the QPR defenders there right now.

I be amazed if Matt was interested in going to Villa.

We could be taking their place!