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Following earlier reports that Aston Villa had expressed interest in Tiago Ilori and that the Liverpool centre half was considering them as a loan destination for the season come reports that the West Midlands club are preparing to formalise their interest in the player.
If a formal loan offer is imminent, it would suggest that Ilori has finished considering a move to Villa for the season and signalled that he would be willing. This follows from the player’s earlier rejection of a season-long loan move to Sunderland, where he would joined ex-Reds Sebastian Coates and Fabio Borini.
Villa’s defensive depth chart, though, might not make them the best destination for a player in need of minutes if he’s to come good on his promise. Having already brought in Micah Richards and with reports that Joleon Lescott has completed a medical and is on the verge of signing, Ilori would be unlikely to start.
Being third or fourth on the the depth chart would be an improvement on sitting in the stands at Liverpool and struggling to even get into cup action, but it’s hardly the regular playing time the defender needs. From that point of view, a Sunderland move would have seemed the more promising loan destination.
Still, if Ilori has been given the assurance he needs from Tim Sherwood and Liverpool are willing to deal, the assumption will be that he will see the pitch often enough to make the move worthwhile if, as looks increasingly likely, Villa formalise their interest over the next few hours and get it done.
