In Rafa interview he did not one say a direct replacement for Alonso. He has stated:
"We would like to keep him, but as soon as he told us that he wanted to leave we started working, looking for players and trying to do the best deal for the club"
WHATS BEST FOR THE CLUB!
"The first idea was to keep him, and the second one was to find the best price and the best replacement for us"
REPLACEMENT FOR US, NOT ALONSO.
Thats my take on the interview. Rafa has been after Villa since he was with Valencia, and now with Liverpool. Who knows. I think it is a false rumour but this interview has never said, Rafa wants to replace Alonso with a midfielder