Sherwood seeks summer swoop for Swindon star Massimo Luongo
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Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has galvanised his West Midlands outfit towards the end of this Premier League season, and the former Tottenham head coach will aim to secure the signature of one of his former players Massimo Luongo this summer if top-flight status is retained.
Swindon Town midfield anchor Luongo was sent out on loan to the County Ground by current Villa manager Sherwood during his time as Tottenham’s development director, and the astute Australian has since blossomed into an influential star since a permanent switch.
The 22-year-old Australia international has played a pivotal role in the Robins’ play-off pursuit in League One this current campaign and was also named as player of the tournament in this year’s Asian Cup.
Relegation battlers Villa, 9/1 with Coral to go down, would benefit hugely from such a talented defensive midfielder in their ranks, joining Englishman Fabian Delph in the Villans central area, with Tom Cleverley having struggled to make a genuine impact during his loan move from Manchester United.
If Luongo was to arrive at Villa Park in the summer, not only would he link up with a past mentor in Sherwood, but he could also be joining the FA Cup champions, with Sherwood’s side having recently reached a Wembley final showdown against holders Arsenal.
The Villans, who are 9/4 to claim a cup coup this year over Arsene Wenger’s Gunners, need a boost in their midfield department, having struggled early on in the term under former coach Paul Lambert, dropping dangerously towards the relegation zone.
However, a domestic revival under Sherwood has lifted spirits and the confident coach will aim to lure Luongo to the West Midlands in the coming months as his first signing since arriving at Villa Park, and a move looks likely with the Londoner sharing a close relationship with Swindon chairman Lee Power.
The promising midfield anchor has struck six times from a deep position in 36 appearances this term since arriving on a permanent basis from Spurs in 2013 for a mere £400k and, having only made a single senior outing during his spell at White Hart Lane, he would provide a new dimension to Villa in what is set to be a summer overhaul.
An impressive rise to prominence in League One this season has catapulted the Sydney-born enforcer towards a possible Premier League move, with Sherwood keen to bolster his midfield options for next season, and the tough tackler’s current employers are a 5/2 chance to earn promotion to the Championship.
