Forward Woe
At the pre-Ipswich press conference this morning, Steve Bruce painted a clear picture of Aston Villa’s present striker woes.
Villa are currently down to two strikers, both of whom are coming back from injury themselves. Jonathan Kodjia is finding his feet after a serious long-term injury last season and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy is being rushed back from injury due to the lack of other options.
On the Mend?
Scott Hogan, while making progress, seems unlikely to be involved this month. It’s become increasingly evident that Villa gambled on his previous injury record at Brentford, because the striker seems to have been injured more than he’s been fit at Villa.
Steve Bruce though looked more forlorn about the prospects of Keinan Davis coming back any time soon. Last season, it was Davis that provided the initial spark to turn Villa’s season’s around and it has to be said, he’s probably the striker best suited to how Villa have tended to play under Bruce.
“Keinan’s is becoming a worry to us all,” said Bruce.
“It’s a shame on the kid, but he’s been blighted by it since last March.
“It’s two steps forward and one backwards constantly at the moment and that’s upsetting for us all.”
Incoming
Kodjia showed signs of getting back up to speed when he came on in midweek against Yeovil, so it’s hoped he can kick-on and rediscover his goal-scoring form. Yet, Villa can’t rely on one man in what will be an important season considering Villa is now under new ownership and will want to maintain their current positive momentum.
Bruce admitted in his press conference that Villa were five or so players short. Realistically though, they would need a striker and maybe a left-back in on loan to have an able squad to challenge up until the January window.
Bruce continued to keep his cards close to his chest over the loan deals he’s been working on, but obviously in terms of strikers, they’ll need to have at least some kind of proven record to hit the ground running.
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Just read that we fans should be delighted at the news that Bruce thinks we need more signings, which planet are these people on, we would be delighted if the club had actually done something, as it is we just keep talking about players like Snodgrass who won’t be coming back, and about a double signing of Newcastle players, that won’t be happening either, and then it’s Abrahams who’s club have said he won’t be out on loan this season, so I’m just struggling to see what’s to get excited about, let’s hope now that O’Hare is going on loan that we don’t end up with no one, because albeit we have had a good start, we are clutching at straws right now and it definitely won’t last if we don’t do something fast, a striker is our main priority as far as I’m concerned.
Sorry to be a bore as I have asked this before – but where is McCormack ?
Every Villa supporter is well aware of our striker problems, so instead of just talking about it why not just get on with it, another week gone by now and just two weeks left in the window, we just seem to talk and faff about just as we did with Bryan and then we miss out. Other clubs Leeds, West Brom. and Middlesbrough are actively getting on with these deals, come on Villa stop dragging your feet and do something now otherwise we will be left with second or third choice deals.