Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Walker has arrived at Villa Park today, where he will remain on loan until the end of the season. The 20-year-old attacking full back has played for England U19s and U21s and is eager to get time with a first team Premier League side.
The loan costs Aston Villa nothing, which is a positive. It also means that Villa no longer have to play Luke Young, who, let's face it, hasn't been as sharp as he could be at right back. Yet at the same time, the Villa are taking a Spurs player and giving him chances over one of our own players. Is it really necessary that we give time to a Tottenham player at the expense of Eric Lichaj?
Granted, the defense of Villa hasn't exactly been a bright spot this season. Lichaj has had two starts, excelling in one of them while playing quite poorly in the other, causing Houllier to elect to move Carlos Cuellar back to right back for the Chelsea match. Still, in a season in which very little is to be expected of Villa (other than that they stay above the drop), players like Lichaj should be given time on the pitch.
Should Villa sell Luke Young (and rid themselves of his exorbitant salary) and continue to give Lichaj a few run outs, this will likely be a positive move for the club. But if Luke Young stays, Lichaj sits and we give Walker back at the end of season, what do we gain? We are then back where we started, with one aged, over paid right-back and the other with little first-team experience. Cross fingers that it's the first scenario that pans out.