Tiago Ilori (update 2017 - signs for Reading)

[PeterWithe]

If Sherwood wanted a right back, I wonder why he didn't sign, er, a right back?

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Don't know what you guys think but I wonder if it's worth playing him at right-back. Just a thought

Brilliant idea damon.
Surprised no-one else has mentioned it.

[brian green]

You are all barking up the wrong arbre. He has bought Matija Sarkic to play right back. Slightly smaller but a dead ringer for Alan Wright.

[old man villa fan]

Quite a few young ball-playing CBs get introduced into the team at FB where inexperience is not tested as much as at CB.

[edgysatsuma89]

This right back thing. I don't get it. Hutton/Bacuna may look weak compared with the rest of the defence at this point but doesn't strike me as a pressing concern. There are plenty of worse full backs in the league than both of them. Also, TS seems like the least likely manager in the world to play a converted centre back at full back even accounting for his unpredictability.

It's a concern for me as both of those two simply aren't very good. I'm not too fussed whether there are worse in the division it doesn't make them any better. That's just my opinion though, you probably rate them higher than I do.

[Virgil Caine]

I wouldn't have a problem with Okore at Right full back- he is quick and can distribute the ball well. Haven't seen him beyond the halfway line much but if Richards wants to bomb forward centrally Okore could cover at the back. It would seem that we could be in a very comfortable position of having quality cover for each player, whatever their position.

[JD]

I wouldn't have a problem with Okore at Right full back- he is quick and can distribute the ball well. Haven't seen him beyond the halfway line much but if Richards wants to bomb forward centrally Okore could cover at the back. It would seem that we could be in a very comfortable position of having quality cover for each player, whatever their position.

Exactly, with Ilori we have another defender who looks like he can play anywhere along the back line.

[kippaxvilla2]

This Ilori bloke, does anyone think he is worth trialling at Right Back?  And for old times sake, why did Ashley Young take....

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

This Ilori bloke, does anyone think he is worth trialling at Right Back?  And for old times sake, why did Ashley Young take....

right back you say!!!! hhmmmmm interesting thought

[villadelph]

I wouldn't have a problem with Okore at Right full back- he is quick and can distribute the ball well. Haven't seen him beyond the halfway line much but if Richards wants to bomb forward centrally Okore could cover at the back. It would seem that we could be in a very comfortable position of having quality cover for each player, whatever their position.

Playing with three at the back has always made me nervous but we have some decent combinations to try out, IMO.

[Astral Weeks]

This Ilori bloke, does anyone think he is worth trialling at Right Back?  And for old times sake, why did Ashley Young take....

right back you say!!!! hhmmmmm interesting thought

It's a crazy idea...but it just might work.

[Percy McCarthy]

I was thinking about our right-back dilemma when I think I planted the seed of this new H&V series by asking 'Is he right-footed?'

I'm deeply sorry.

Yours, Derren Brown.

[brian green]

You put your foot right in it.

[Percy McCarthy]

You put your foot right in it.

Innit.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

From the OS:

Tim Sherwood believes Tiago Ilori could become a top-class holding midfielder for Villa - but stressed that versatility meant he was an asset in a variety of positions.

Ilori, a deadline-day season-long loan from Liverpool, has been seen in the past as a centre-half.

Sherwood accepts this notion but thinks there's much more to the Portugal international than that specific role.

He told AVTV: "Tiago is a player I have known since he's been at the academy at Sporting Lisbon. He's a player I have known for a long time.

"I wouldn't have taken him on loan if there wasn't an opportunity to buy him at the end of it. I am not interested in developing players for other clubs. I am interested in developing for ourselves.

"If he becomes what I think he can be, he's a good buy at the money we're talking about.

"He's quick and elegant. He's played in four different countries, when you include England. He's had a good rounded development.

"He's very composed on the ball and versatile.

"He can play right-back, centre-back and I see him playing holding midfield as well.

"He's a development project and someone I am very excited to work with."

Sherwood compared the 22-year-old with Liverpool's Emre Can, who has seen action in a series of different positions for the men from Anfield.

And the manager said that versatility is a help not a hindrance for a professional footballer.

He added: "I see him like an Emre Can. He's been successful playing in every position.

"A lot of people say that if you don't nail down one position, it's detrimental to your career. I don't believe that. I believe it gives you the chance to play more minutes.

"I think he could be an exceptional player. He's not there yet. But he's in the right place."