David James believes Aston Villa would be making a good signing if they manage to secure Watford winger Ismaila Sarr before the transfer deadline, even despite his split loyalties.

Speaking exclusively to FootballFanCast, the former England goalkeeper claimed the 22-year-old would be a "good fit" for Dean Smith's side.

Last week, Senegalese outlet Wiwsport revealed that Villa had entered the race to sign the relegated Hornets star with Premier League champions Liverpool, Crystal Palace and West Brom also keen.

The Sun's Alan Nixon recently reported that the Championship newcomers would accept around £35m to let him leave Vicarage Road this window, and the ex-Villa shot-stopper believes he'd be a hit in the Midlands.

James, who was speaking at Utilita's 'Switch before Pitch' campaign for grassroots football, said...

"I think the Villa story is an interesting one, obviously, scraping survival at the end of the season there. The acquisition of [Emiliano] Martinez was a big acquisition given he was a relatively unknown goalkeeper.

"[Ismaila] Sarr from Watford, again a talented player. It depends on which side of the fence I want to sit on here because I want Watford to get promoted to the Premier League and losing your best players is not the first way to go about getting promoted, so from Villa's point of view to maintain survival in the Premier League for a club that's spent a lot of money in the first place, arguably they did the right job as they did survive.

"They need to get themselves in a healthier position and they're doing that. Sarr would be a good fit."

In 28 Premier League appearances last season, Sarr provided five goals and four assists whilst averaging 1.7 dribbles, 1.6 shots and 0.9 key passes per game. He also won a free-kick 1.7 times per match too (WhoScored).

The Senegalese wide man has been likened to his fellow countryman Sadio Mane in the past and has even been tipped to become a "Champions League player" by former teammate Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Smith has already bolstered his frontline with the additions of £28m club-record signing Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore, so it remains to be seen if the Villa boss will pursue his reported interest in Sarr.

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