Aston Villa still working on deal for young Liverpool defender

Color me surprised at this. Apparently Aston Villa are still trying to work out a deal with Liverpool for 22-year-old Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori. The newest report comes from the Sunday Times' Duncan Castles:

Aston Villa still working on deal for Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori. Understand Sunderland withdrew interest last night. #AVFC #LFC #SAFC

— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) September 1, 2015

I had sort of figured that the rumours of Ilori were basically some sort of backup in case something torpedoed the Joleon Lescott deal at the last minute, but apparently not.

Having another centre back around wouldn't be a terrible idea given Villa's injury history at the position, but this is just getting absurd. Philippe Senderos, Micah Richards, Ciaran Clark, Joleon Lescott, and Jores Okore are all with the club. There is no need to carry six players for two (or maybe three) spots. And if there was a need for a young centre back, why send Nathan Baker out on loan.

So. If this rumour is true, it points to one of two things. Either Villa are sending a defender out in the next hour or Micah Richards is going to be pushed back over to his more natural right back position.

There is, of course, the distinct possibility that nothing comes of this though and all of this conversation is moot.