Aston Villa reportedly plotting late move for £25m winger Pep Guardiola has deemed ‘quality’

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Aston Villa have been linked with Tottenham Hotspur winger Lucas Moura ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.

According to The Telegraph, the Villans have an interest in the Spurs ace and are plotting a deadline-day move for him.

Villa have copped some criticism for lacking width in attacking areas, and Moura would help rectify this, added the report.

However, ‘it would still take persuading from Gerrard for the Brazilian to swap Champions League football for a potential relegation battle’.

Aston Villa target Lucas Moura – factfile

If Villa can get a deal for Moura over the line, then Gerrard would be landing a superb player and a manager’s dream.

The 30-year-old has been great for Tottenham since his £25m move from Paris Saint-Germain in January 2019.

He has made 204 appearances for Spurs, registering 38 goals and 27 assists.

Moura helped Tottenham reach the Champions League final almost single-handedly.

The Brazil international scored a remarkable hat-trick in the semi-final second-leg at Ajax.

His goals helped Mauricio Pochettino’s side come from 3-0 down on aggregate at half-time.

In terms of his style of play, scouting website Breaking the Lines wrote an in-depth article in 2021.

‘Lucas is a forward whose direct dribbling in addition to fantastic close control makes him a nightmare for opposition defenders in either tight spaces or open field,’ they wrote.

‘The Brazillian often combines his silky skill with frightening acceleration to progress the ball forward for his team, with a few players sure to be left in his wake.

‘These progressive carries also ensure Lucas is fouled quite often as the opposition attempt to stop him in any possible way. Handing his team multiple opportunities to create opportunities through set-pieces.

‘Defensively, Lucas is an attacker loved by most coaches due to his hard work and dedication for the team.

‘When not using his pace to drive his team forward and frighten defenders; the diminutive forward is usually pressing high up the pitch in an attempt to force mistakes from the opposition and win the ball back in transition.

‘The Brazilian’s pace is well regarded, yet Lucas’ general physicality often goes under the radar.

‘His leap is impressive for someone who is 5 feet 8 inches, and his heading ability is on par with that of a typical #9.

‘This athleticism makes it so Lucas can contribute in both boxes, either clearing the ball from his team’s near post or converting a goal in the opposition net via the same position a la West Ham at home in 20/21.

‘Moura’s strength is also quite underrated.’

“He’s a super, super, super hero”

In addition, Moura has earned rave reviews from his managers at Tottenham.

After his Ajax hat-trick, Mauricio Pochettino told football.london: “I think scoring three goals, a hat-trick, if the other players are superheroes, he’s a super, super, super hero.

“He was amazing, he was very clinical in front of the goal. Yes I think a fantastic night, a magical night for him. He is so important.”

In August 2020, Jose Mourinho told the Spurs website: “With all the problems we had, Lucas is probably one of the few players that was here the day I arrived and never stopped, apart from some extreme fatigue he had because he was playing every match.

“He did everything for us during the season. He played in every position. Played as a striker when we had no strikers. He had no rest, he had to play every match in every competition.

“It’s really amazing and shows the team player that he is. A team player, a consistent player, a player who sacrifices himself for the needs of the team.

“We have more, and I’m a fortunate coach, but Lucas is a good example.”

And in July, Antonio Conte told football.london: “Lucas Moura for us is a great resource because he can play in many roles.

“He can play behind the striker, on the right, on the left, as a wing back.

“I’m very happy for his commitment for what I’m seeing in the training sessions.”

Even Pep Guardiola has praised him, telling Sky Sports Premier League last year: (7:09pm, August 15, 2021): “Lucas Moura has the quality to take the ball and drive with the ball. You have to defend better.”