Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has confirmed that the club are looking to extend the contracts of Pepe Reina and Danny Drinkwater, according to Birmingham Live.
Aston Villa Looking to Extend Contracts of Loan Duo
Close to Expiring
When the pair arrived in January, they six-month loan deals until the end of June.
However, the Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent suspension of football has meant that loan deals for the pair are set to expire.
Speaking to Ashley Preece of Birmingham Live, Smith said: “”We have until next week. I believe they are in the process of being agreed. We will find out if they get the paperwork done in the next few days.”
How Have the Pair Fared at Aston Villa?
Reina has enjoyed the better loan spell of the two, despite losing his place in the starting line-up to Orjan Nyland recently.
The 37-year-old arrived on loan as a replacement for Tom Heaton, who suffered a long-term injury at the turn of the year.
The Spaniard made six appearances before the three month suspension of football. Despite four straight defeats, he still his manager, making six saves in back-to-back games.
Drinkwater, meanwhile, has fared slightly differently to his team-mate. After featuring in his first five games at the club, the 30-year-old has failed to appear since.
Birmingham Live report that he had suffered a bust-up with fellow midfielder Jota, which has contributed to his downfall at Villa Park.
Despite this, he still appears to be in Dean Smith’s plans, as he looks to steer his side clear of the relegation zone.
Survival is the Aim
Speaking ahead of their game against Chelsea, Smith stressed the importance of his sdies remaining eight games.
“I think I said after the last game we’re going into a mini tournament and nobody’s got any form. So you’ve got to go and earn your form,” he said.
“(Against Sheffield United) I thought we’re playing against a team fighting for European places, we’re fighting to get out of the relegation zone and we allowed them one shot on target which I think was a cross!
“We were the main aggressors and our defensive display and organisation was really good. And certainly we came out with an awful lot of positives in that performance.”
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