Aston Villa boss Bruce should sign Southampton’s Long for second time

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Aston Villa are in desperate need of a striker after multiple injuries in the final third.

Steve Bruce will not believe his luck at Aston Villa as strikers Jonathan Kodjia, Scott Hogan, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy all remain injured – and it should convince him to enter the January transfer window.

Ivory Coast international Kodjia is still suffering with an ankle injury while Agbonlahor fights to return to fitness after a calf problem. Hogan has had a stomach operation, while Hepburn-Murphy has been a long-term absentee.

Teenage ace Keinan Davis has been entrusted with the responsibility to spearhead Villa’s attack, but has failed to score after starting the last four Championship games up front.

Bruce’s injury crisis in the final third should see him plead with owner Dr Tony Xia that he needs money to spend in the summer on a new striker, one that he can trust to score goals and work hard for the team.

Now in a lofty fourth place, Bruce needs a player he knows inside out that can hit the ground running. Forming a reunion with Southampton striker Shane Long would be the perfect example of that.

The Daily Mail claims Southampton are willing to listen to offers for the 30-year-old Ireland international, along with Manolo Gabbiadini and Charlie Austin.

Bruce signed the former Reading forward during his stint as Hull City manager, luring him to the KCOM Stadium in January 2014 for a fee reportedly worth £7million, before selling him for a reported profit of £5million just six months later.

Long has struggled for the Saints this season, yet to score in 11 Premier League outings as he continues to be played out wide instead of his preferred position as a centre-forward.

Renowned for his hard work and graft, Long boasts electrifying speed but also an aerial prowess expected of someone much taller than him.

Combining with Bruce for a second time would surely see Long hit the ground running, and prove to be key in Villa’s aim of gaining promotion back to the Premier League at the second attempt.