Why Toni Leistner would be a smart signing for Aston Villa?
According to a report from the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are interested in a summer swoop for Queen Park Rangers defender Toni Leistner.
Toni Leistner, 28, signed for QPR in the summer of 2018 following the expiry of his contract at Union Berlin, agreeing on to a three-year deal at the Loftus Road. The German has taken the Championship football like a duck to water, impressing in his first season for Steve McClaren’s side.
Leistner’s performances haven’t gone under the radar, with Aston Villa keen for the defender’s signature in the summer.
Aston Villa have not had a season to remember thus far as they currently lie 11th in the table, six points adrift of the final play-off spot. Given the form the Villans are in it is difficult to predict whether they’ll be able to get into the play-offs after the completion of 48 games. But a 4-0 victory over promotion rivals Derby County last weekend should have given a lot of confidence to Dean Smith’s boys and who knows the victory could be the start of something special?
Whatever is the final outcome at the end of the campaign, the squad needs reinforcements in every area of the pitch. Smith is expected to put emphasis in shoring up his backline this summer and has thus targeted the QPR skipper, Toni Leistner. But will he bit the right fit for Aston Villa?
Without a shadow of doubt, yes! In a struggling QPR side that has conceded a staggering 55 goals till date, Leistner has held his own and delivered solid performances. The German has been a rare bright spark for McClaren’s men and deserves all kind of attention.
Since John Terry’s departure from Villa Park, the defence has lacked a leader. Even the performance levels of James Chester has dropped, with the Midlands club having the worst defensive records out of all of the teams in the top half of the Championship table. Smith’s team need a leader at the back and Leistner could really be the answer.
The Dresden-born defender is a strong, physical and no-nonsense defender who rarely likes taking a risk at the back. An aggressive defender, a leader and an influential personality, Leistner is solid and dependable and a massive threat from set-pieces. Due to his height and strength, the 28-year-old is an asset to have in the squad.
On the whole, Leistner has exceeded expectations in his debut season at QPR. Hence, signing the commanding defender would be a smart bit of business by the Villans.
