Aston Villa wanted to sign Ben Woodburn in the summer, now he has returned to Liverpool from Sheffield United.
During Aston Villa’s hectic summer, then-manager Steve Bruce was on the hunt for Liverpool’s highly-rated youngster Ben Woodburn.
The Telegraph reported that Villa, who just had their transfer embargo lifted, wanted to sign the 19-year-old on a loan deal until the end of the season.
As Sheffield United posted on their official website in August, Woodburn opted to move to Yorkshire rather than the Midlands but since his summer loan, he has struggled in Chris Wilder’s attacking system.
Woodburn has played only eight games in all competitions for the Blades, making two starts for the promotion-chasing Championship side – no assists or goals have been registered from the Chester-born player.
It is fair to say that Villa have been rather fortunate in missing out on Woodburn because added with his lack of form, he has been sent back to his parent club.
Sky Sports reported that the versatile attacker returned to Melwood to treat his damaged ankle and the full extent of his injury is not yet known.
It could even be argued that wingers Anwar El Ghazi and Yannick Bolasie, who signed for Villa after Woodburn’s move to Bramall Lane, may not have been sought after had Woodburn put pen to paper with the Midlands outfit.
So in a strange way, Villa supporters should be thankful because both attacking players have had fine starts to their careers at Villa Park, whereas Woodburn has had no impact whatsoever on the Blades.
Dean Smith’s side are the second highest scorers in the Championship with 43 strikes – Bolasie and El Ghazi have contributed to 12 of those goals.
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