Leighton Baines has to stay - but Everton need more tall players
Summer's approaching and the rumour mill has started to lazily crank into action.
Apart from Everton being linked with every rangy African midfielder in France and the usual Mikel Arteta to Atletico Madrid stories, the latest round of transfer gossip also has Newcastle interested in Goodison's own Leighton Baines.
You certainly couldn't blame Kevin Keegan if he did have an eye on the local full-back, but it is nigh on unthinkable that Everton would even dream of letting him go.
David Moyes has been at pains in the last week or so to reiterate that he sees a big future at the club for the player he brought from Wigan Athletic for £6million last summer, and even given the limited opportunities he's had this season, most Evertonians have seen enough to expect Baines to be the club's first choice left-back for as long as he wants to be.
He's clearly been unlucky with injuries and the form of both Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka has also been on obstacle for him.
However, the expectation is that Moyes will bring in some taller players in the coming months, particularly in midfield, and that will make it easier for him to resist the temptation to play Lescott at left-back for the added physical presence that comes from having three centre-halves in the side.
That was almost certainly why Baines missed out against Villa, with the irony being that it was Lescott whom John Carew out-muscled for the equaliser.
It's been a tough season for Baines but he is a regular England player in the making, without a doubt, and we want to see more of his ilk coming to Goodison, not leaving.
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Having players like Baines on the bench is like pouring Lagavulin down the toilet. In terms of the national squad it does us no favours.