Ayew Semi-finalist
A lot of has been made of Jonathan Kodjia’s absence at the African Cup of Nations, which was ultimately cut short as his Ivory Coast national team crashed and burned in the group stages. After starting the Elephants opening game of the tournament, he was benched for the following two games.
Yet, Aston Villa have another representative in Gabon and he’s quieting gone about his business and fired Ghana into the tournament’s semi-finals.
Nobody has really missed Ayew, but today he scored the opener for the Avram Grant managed Black Stars as they went onto to beat DR Congo 2-1, with his brother Andre scoring a late winner from the penalty spot.
While Kodjia maybe back for Villa’s away trip to Brentford, Ayew’s African adventure continues on.
Ayew Going in Jan?
In terms of the January transfer window Jordan Ayew’s position is perhaps the most interesting. With an uncertain future leading many to feel his time is over. The fact that he’s had to half his wages in the Championship and promotion back to the Premier League looks unlikely at this point, there’s no doubt Ayew will also be looking to move on.
Will Ghana continuing in the AFCON make it harder for Ayew to move on now? Defeat and he would have been back on the ground in the UK to perhaps make any move away from Villa Park that much easier.
In a recent meeting MOMS had with Steve Bruce, the Villa had suggested that Birkir Bjarnason coming to the club would add pressure on the Ghanaian international.
At the same meeting, Bruce did suggest he had a preference for going 4-4-2 in the Championship, so maybe if Ayew pulls his shorts up and focuses, he could play up top alongside Kodjia?
The player’s selfish streak though throws up questions of him being an ideal partner. Still judging by the goal above, he could still have a role to play, as the Championship games do come thick and fast and Bruce will need options to keep his team fresh.
UTV
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No excuses now. Brilliant squad for the Championship. Got to start climbing the table, starting with Brentford on Tuesday. Give them a roasting and send a message to the rest of the division. There’s no point holding off over Rhodes. If he’s identified as the ideal partner for Kodjia, get him whatever. Once in the Prem, we’ll recoup the cost. Unlike the Learner reign, Tony realises that Premiership ambitions cost, and tight purse strings just don’t cut it. He’s an owner that thinks big at last, and has the financial clout to back up his ambition. Although the club don’t want to be wasteful, and want to keep a good house fiscally, there’s more to be lost by remaining a Championship side.
Ayew gets harsh treatment from the fans. He is a passionate player who will fight for the team and has obvious quality yet he is consistently played out of position. How many players are able to really contribute when out of position every week? Not many! With his pace and ability on the ball, as well as his finishing and strength, he would be a real asset upfront alongside Kodjia.
He gets called selfish but so is Kodjia, so is Grealish(unjustifiably). His “selfishness” won us the game against Burton, and his composure won us 3pts at reading, that’s 6 points he has earned the team on his own, just imagine how good he would be up front alongside Kodjia with this proper midfield we now have behind him.
There are far worse performers than Ayew this season and those players have been in their natural positions.
well Norwich (top 6 rival) are reported to be interested in McCormack, is Robbie brady still there? would I like to see that deal come off, l.b. from swans ayew going other way, rodes and the arsenal kid, jigsaw complete.
Concentrate on shifting McCormack, he’s our biggest problem no chance of recovering 12 m but cut the losses ship him out and get hold of Rhodes ASAP. Think we have signed enough players now, just get a striker in to help out and partner Kodjia. Come on Villa the Clocks ticking.