Would you be happy with these Aston Villa transfer deals?
Changes are coming at Aston Villa as new manager Steve Bruce gears up for his first transfer window at the club.
Among the shock candidates to depart is summer signing Ross McCormack, who has struggled for goals and been overshadowed by Jonathan Kodjia. The Mirror reported last week he is battling for his future at the club.
Aston Villa’s Ross McCormack celebrates scoring their first goal
Bruce is publicly backing the Scotsman, but should his barren run continue between now and January, the manager could be tempted to upgrade.
HITC Sport understand Villa head the queue to sign Jordan Rhodes, with Middlesbrough willing to sell if they can recoup the £10 million they spent on him last summer.
If McCormack isn’t scoring, Villa may want to strongly consider rolling the dice on Rhodes instead, providing they can find a willing buyer – who they do not consider a promotion rival.
Middlesbrough’s Jordan Rhodes shoots at goal
The second name Villa should look to add alongside Rhodes is former Bruce favourite Abel Hernandez, who scored prolificly for him at Hull City in the Championship.
The Hull Daily Mail report Hernandez will miss the rest of this month with a groin injury but is expected back in January.
Kodjia is off to the African Nations Cup and Villa will need cover. A non-scoring McCormack alongside Gestede won’t cut it, with the side already outside the play-offs.
Hull City’s Abel Hernandez in action
With a strike force of Rhodes and Hernandez, to compete with Kodjia when he returns, and Gestede simply back-up, Villa should have the firepower to ease into the play-offs.
All of this would mean the end surely for Gabby Agbonlahor, who has managed against the odds to remain part of the first team picture.
Whether Villa intend to be this bold in January is unclear, but this two in, two out deal could be their best course of action if they can pull it off.
Gabriel Agbonlahor of Aston Villa in action
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