A player being linked means nothing in the slightest though. You shouldn't feel anything different regarding a player linked.
When a player signs it's different though. He's moved club into new circumstances with new teammates and a new manager. Absolutely no reason to write any new villa signing off until theyve at least had a couple of dozen matches in the first team.
Some players dramatically improve overnight after a transfer, while others get worse. It's to the manager to know what he's getting and how it fits in, really. That's typically not something fans are ever privy to.
For someone like Townsend, if Sherwood wants him then he wants him for a reason. He knows him, has seen him up close, and will have a very good idea what he's capable of. Far more an idea than me or anyone here.
For me, I don't rate the player all that much, but if the manager, who has seen a lot of him, identifies him for a specific role at the club, then I've no reason to carry over my prejudices