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Aston Villa transfer option should be taken for 'first name on the team sheet'
Of all of Aston Villa's loanees, spending time out and around the EFL and further afield across the globe, there remains only one who stayed in the Premier League - and indeed in the Midlands. More significantly still, that player is actually sat, in this final international break of 2024, above Villa in the Premier League table.
Some might've raised eyebrows when Alex Moreno was permitted to leave Villa in the summer; Ian Maatsen was on his way in to offer fresh competition to Lucas Digne, but Spaniard Moreno was only the second signing to leave the club who had arrived under Unai Emery - and a player very much identified by the Spanish influence at Bodymoor Heath.
Many might've expected Moreno to return to Spain. There had been noises that he'd intended to head back to La Liga only 18 months after leaving for England, but instead the opportunity arose to remain in the Premier League and continue testing himself at the highest level in this country. There'd be a real chance to hold down a place, too, unlike at Villa where competition at left-back was particularly strong.
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"Ola Aina had made that position his own last season but he is a right-back by trade and it always seemed likely Forest would assess their options on the left in the summer," Nottingham Forest journalist Sarah Clapson told us. "Nuno Tavares had not done enough to see his loan spell from Arsenal turned into a permanent move and there was still a question mark over whether Omar Richards could have a part to play.
"In the end, it was decided Richards would head out on loan again to continue to build up his fitness from his injury nightmare - and Moreno’s arrival coincided with his departure. Forest saw him as someone who could help them kick on this season."
Kick on they have. There was plenty of furore surrounding Forest upon their long-awaited return to the top flight, much made of their extensive recruitment drive in which they signed up a vast quantity of new faces. Cobbled together, Steve Cooper led them to safety in the first season before he was let go midway through last season.
Enter Nuno Espirito Santo, who has finally this summer been able to leave his own mark on the squad. While the summer of 2022 was helter skelter, and a new player walking through the door almost everyday, Forest now are much more refined in the way they've shaped their squad. It's glistening with attacking quality, built on defensive solidity and, right now, Moreno is playing his part.
"He has impressed so far and has consistently put in good performances," Sarah explains. "It didn’t take him long to settle in at all and he immediately looked comfortable in the Forest back line. Defensively, he has been solid and hasn’t made too many mistakes. His ability to get forward also fits in with how Nuno likes to play. He already has one assist to his name and has shown some lovely touches with the ball.
"He has definitely established himself as a key member of the squad and one of the first names on the team-sheet. Forest shipped a lot of goals last season, so Nuno made tightening up at the back a priority this time around.
Having a settled defensive unit has really helped with that, with Moreno a big part of the back line. As the games go by, the defenders are getting to know each other even better - and that has resulted in Forest giving away very few goals. Even after the 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United, they still have the second-best defensive record in the league."
It wasn't the move many associated with Villa might've anticipated. Indeed by relocating across the M42 to Nottingham, Moreno has been able to remain settled in the Midlands while maintaining the level he'd like to continue playing at. A popular figure during his time at Bodymoor Heath, he would appear to have applied those characteristics to those new surroundings at the City Ground.
"He looks very much at home and has said himself that he is 'really happy'," Sarah says. "His experience has undoubtedly been valuable, but more than that he seems to be a good character in the dressing room. He always has a smile on his face and is well liked by his teammates. Forest fans love him, too. He has quickly built up a connection with supporters - they love the fact he is now the designated lead fist-pumper after a win.
"He seemed to particularly enjoy being front and centre of the celebrations after the victory at Leicester City, teasing the away end before coming up trumps with the fist pumps. I’m not sure who enjoyed that moment more, Moreno or the travelling fans! Nuno appreciates what he brings, too. Overall, he has fitted in very well."
All being well, Moreno will continue to perform for Forest in the same vein as he begun, Forest will continue to enjoy a steady incline back at football's top table and it'll leave Villa, potentially, with a decision to make next summer - do they reintegrate Moreno back in? He'll have a year remaining on his contract and Forest, in that event, would be keen on a permanent deal, you would expect.
"Forest would do well to get working on taking up their option to make his move a permanent one. It would be a great bit of business, if the deal is right," Sarah adds. "Nuno has spoken about the benefits of consistency in team selection, so continuing to have Moreno as part of the defence going into next season would only be a positive. He seems to be enjoying himself at the City Ground, too.
"At 31, there might be a question mark about his age as Forest generally have quite a young team and of course, there is still a long way to go this season so plenty can change, but if the right deal can be done, he would be a good signing."
