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43 goals in one season: Middlesbrough and Aston Villa should not separate strike duo

Blackburn Rovers' Rudy Gestede celebrates scoring their third goal with Jordan Rhodes (Reuters)
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Rudy Gestede and Jordan Rhodes formed a potent partnership at Blackburn Rovers.

This week reports circulated that Aston Villa and Middlesbrough might be about to do business on the striker front.

The Telegraph reported that Boro are looking to sign Villa striker Rudy Gestede. It left many considering whether Jordan Rhodes could head the other way, as Villa need another striking option if Gestede departs.

Blackburn Rovers' Rudy Gestede celebrates scoring their third goal with Jordan RhodesBlackburn Rovers’ Rudy Gestede celebrates scoring their third goal with Jordan Rhodes

But both Middlesbrough and Villa should be wary of swapping the pair, surely they should combine them?

Gestede and Rhodes are former team-mates at Blackburn Rovers and in the 2014-15 season the pair combined to score 43 goals for the club as they finished ninth in the Championship and went to the sixth round of the FA Cup.

Aston Villa's Rudy Gestede celebrates scoring their second goalAston Villa’s Rudy Gestede celebrates scoring their second goal

Rhodes hit 21 goals in all competitions whilst Gestede managed 22 as they formed an old-school partnership up front that struck fear into opposing defences.

Since the pair left Ewood Park they have found life more difficult at Boro and Villa – with Rhodes struggling for football at the Riverside and Gestede suffering relegation with Villa.

But if either Boro want Gestede, or Villa want Rhodes, they must consider pairing the two, rather than separating them.