Barnsley defender James Bree completed a switch to Aston Villa this morning ending several weeks of speculation.

The right-back has been the subject of interest from the Villains for quite some time and the deal has been done in the best interest of both parties, with Villa getting a highly-rated player and the Tykes getting a decent fee for a product of their youth academy.

The 19-year-old has played 20 games for the South Yorkshire-based club this season and his first season in the Championship has seen him earn lots of plaudits for his solid performances.

Villa boss Steve Bruce has stated his intention to bolster his defensive ranks this month and the signing of such a competent player will no doubt please him.

Following the transfer, Football League World writer Lee Clarke, takes a look at two pros and two cons to Villa singing James Bree.

Pro – Upgrade on current crop

At just 19-years-old Steve Bruce might just have secured the services of a player who could go all the way to the top in English football.

Only time will tell whether that is the case or not but at around the £3 million mark it is certainly a shrewd piece of business by the club.

Bruce is undoubtedly keen to offload some of the ‘deadwood’ in the squad and in replacing them with talented youngsters it can only bode well for the future of the football club.

Bree is a far better option than current right-back Alan Hutton and he is likely to slot straight into the Villa side.

Pro – Value for money

After spending such a huge amount of money on players during the summer, it is vital that Steve Bruce looks to right the wrongs of his predecessor and start spending Villa’s money with a little more thought.

Former boss Roberto Di Matteo wasted a huge amount on flops such as Ross McCormack and Aaron Tshibola, whilst the current boss must ensure that the same mistakes are not made in the transfer market.

Bree is thought to have cost around £3 million which in this day and age represents quality value for money.

Con – Can he make the step up?

Playing for Barnsley, the club where you have been since your youth career is one thing but turning out for a club the size of Aston Villa is a completely different ball game.

A year down the line, the fact I have even asked the question could look a stupid concept, but until he pulls on the Villa jersey there will remain some doubts over whether he will cut the mustard at Villa Park.

Con – More money spent

Given Villa’s excessive spending during the summer it could have been easy to think that they would trim down during January rather than adding to their squad yet again.

The Villains are currently nine points shy of a play-off place in the Championship, with their hopes of forcing their way into contention for the top six this season looking bleak right now.

Nothing against Bree, who is clearly a good player, but the £3 million plummeted on his arrival could prove costly to the club in the long run.

£3 million could seem like good value, but only the penny counters inside Villa Park will know whether or not this deal is one which warrants being made at this stage of the season, with Villa nowhere near a play-off place.

Aston Villa fans, are you looking forward to seeing Bree in action? Do you expect him to do well at Villa Park? Let us know in the comments below!!!