Southampton’s top goalscorer Charlie Austin is set to be on Aston Villa’s radar if the two swap places in the Premier League.
Aston Villa fans have been reacting to the reports that have emerged recently from the Daily Mirror which suggested that the Villans could make a move for Southampton striker Charlie Austin at the end of the season if they get themselves promoted out of the Championship and the Saints go down.
As things stand, the situation is looking fairly bleak for Mark Hughes’ men. Following their 3-0 loss to West Ham at the weekend, Southampton are two points off safety in the top flight. And while they have a game in hand over the two teams immediately above them in the table, the loss to the Hammers would have been a major blow to the club ahead of the final weeks of the season.
Scoring goals has undoubtedly been their major issue. Austin remains their top goalscorer with six strikes to his name, but he has made just 17 appearances in the top flight this term with only six of those coming from starts.
After thrashing Reading on Tuesday, the Villans are fourth in the table and will likely be backed by many to win the play-offs should they qualify.
Nevertheless, several Villa supporters have taken to Twitter to express their hope that they do not go after Austin if all of the circumstances fall into place.
The 28-year-old has struggled with injury throughout his career, and many feel that it would be a major mistake to pursue a move even if he has a very decent record during his time at the higher levels.
Here is what some of the Villa fans made of the links with Austin…
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