West Brom chief Richard Garlick has explained selling Joleon Lescott to Aston Villa.

Garlick explained that head coach Tony Pulis wanted to bring in younger models at the back.

"I hear what you say about him being player of the year and he was great for us for that year, but I think Tony wanted to try and bring in younger players," Albion's CEO told a fans meeting of the Albion Assembly.

"He wanted to bring in James Chester, Jonny Evans, younger players.

"We were worried abut the age of that backline with Joleon, Gareth (McAuley) and Jonas (Olsson) and I think it was a good deal for everyone.

"The club looked at it and said okay if you want to go and we can get a replacement in and we felt the price was right...

"Bearing in mind he came in on a free. We didn't see it as a long term solution. Eventually with a year left it would have fizzled out.

"He did do very well."