Brentford defender Yoann Barbet is on the radar of former manager Dean Smith, as the former Brentford boss looks to strengthen Aston Villa’s struggling backline.
While Aston Villa have been fantastic in attack so far in the Championship season, their defence has been a serious worry. Manager Dean Smith is looking to fix this in the January transfer window and has identified Brentford defender Yoann Barbet as a target, according to the Birmingham Mail.
The defence has been a serious cause for concern for both manager Dean Smith and Aston Villa fans in the first half of this season. Despite scoring the second highest amount of goals in the League so far with 46 goals, Villa only have a goal difference of plus nine. Conceding 37 goals in 24 games, Aston Villa have the leakiest defence out of the top thirteen sides.
Smith is determined to fix this as he tries to mount a promotion push and he has former player Barbet on his radar. The two are known to each other from Smith’s spell at Griffin Park and he is keen on a reunion with the 25-year-old defender.
Barbet spent his youth career in France, before coming through the academy of French Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, but he didn’t make a single appearance for the French side, only playing for the club’s B-team.
After three years with Bordeaux, Barbet joined French second tier side Chamois Niortais FC, and spent a single season there, making 33 appearances and scoring two goals and assisting one goal. At the end of his first season with Chamois Niortais, he joined Championship side Brentford, and has played for The Bees 100 times.
