An Optimist's Transfer Wishlist: Defenders

Left Back: Jetro Willems - (PSV)

We all know that Villa is in desperate need of explosive fullbacks. The Kieran Richardson - Aly Cissokho carousel is not a promising avenue for Villa's future, and nobody besides Leo Bacuna looks up to the challenge of being an attacking fullback with some energy. Jetro Willems is an explosive left back currently playing for PSV in the Dutch Eredivisie. Willems himself is a Dutch international, and has sparkled in the Eredivisie this season. He made 30 appearances for PSV, providing 13 assists and 2 goals. After extensive analysis, it is apparent that Willems contributed to creating or finishing a goal once every other game - imagine a Villa left back capable of producing that kind of attacking output, or providing that kind of service to Christian Benteke. Having a Dutchman with a trick up his sleeve on both sides of a Villa back four would be a clear upgrade from the many dysfunctional combinations displayed in the Premier League last season. And, the 6 million Euro price tag is more than reasonable for the 21-year old Dutchman, who's potential is sky high.

Centre Back: Ashley Williams - (Swansea City)

With the looming departure of Ron Vlaar, there will be a spot to fill in the middle of Villa's injury-ridden centre of defense. While Micah Richards is rumored to be set to play centre back, the prospect that Ashley Williams provides is extremely intriguing. A proven Premier League centre back for Swansea City, he is the type of hard-nosed and reliable defender that Tim Sherwood loves. He missed only one Premier League game last season, a type of physical reliability that would be priceless to Villa's defensive corps. While Williams is no longer a youngster, at 30 years of age, he knows exactly what to do in pressure Premier League situations. If Sherwood could bring him for under his 4.5 million pound price tag, it would be tidy business.

Right Back: DeAndre Yedlin - (Spurs)

With Sherwood's rumored raiding of Tottenham, adding one more name to his list isn't too far of a stretch. While Yedlin hasn't made any valuable Premier League contribution yet, bringing him in on a loan-to-buy basis is an compelling idea. Yedlin is known affectionately by most American soccer fans as the ridiculously pacey right back who cut through Portugal's defense like it was butter in last summer's world cup to set up the goal that made Americans think they had survived the group of death. Yedlin is the type of player that has such a unique physical skill set that a talent sculptor like Sherwood could paint a masterpiece with if given an ample amount of time. Now, especially with the purchase of Kevan Trippier, Spurs' plan for using Yedlin are becoming increasingly unclear, meaning they may be willing to send him on loan, even if it is to former boss Tim Sherwood. Yedlin's value is a mere 1 million pounds, and with his age being only 21, he could certainly blossom into a formidable Premier League player.

Who would you like to see Sherwood bring in for defense? Let us know!