Former Aston Villa midfielder Ray Houghton has advised Douglas Luiz to stay at Villa Park despite reported interest from AS Roma in recent months.

Roma have reportedly identified the Villa Luiz midfielder as a potential transfer target this summer, but a transfer has not taken place.

The Brazil international has become a key player at Villa since his move from Man City in the summer of 2019. His former club had a buyout clause as part of the deal that saw him move to Villa Park, but which expired this summer without City making a move.

Luiz has made 12 Premier League appearances this season and has impressed under new Villa boss Steven Gerrard.

And Houghton has urged Luiz to stay at the club, despite his current contract ending until his last 12 months at the end of this season.

“I think with Douglas (Luiz) he’s been around England sides for quite some time, he knows what it’s about and the only way I could see that he might want to go was if he didn’t think he was going to be on the team, ”Houghton told bettingexpert.

“If he felt like he might be sent off or he thought there was a vibe where the club was going in a different direction and he might not be part of it, then I wouldn’t wouldn’t blame him.

“At the moment I just think that with the arrival of Steven and the owner, who has the money, I think they are going to put money into new players and investments. I would like to be a part of that. “He’s in the squad right now. I don’t think I would be in a rush to leave Aston Villa on the minute if I were him.”

“In the 80s, when I was playing. [Roma] was one of the places to go. Because you are learning a new culture, a new language, the money was better.

“Everything is changing. There aren’t a lot of people actually switching from the English Premier League to go to Spain at the moment, or Italy, Germany or France. The majority of players want to come to the English Premier League. Because that’s where the money is. “

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