Aston Villa did have goal-scoring options, they simply chose not to use them.
With Keinan Davis joining Jonathan Kodjia on the side-lines as Aston Villa prepared to face Derby County this weekend, Villans boss Steve Bruce opted to kick off the match without a recognised striker.
The thing is, not only was forward Scott Hogan sitting on the bench but, in youngster Callum O’Hare, Villa have a potentially brilliant partner for the former Brentford man.
Hogan and O’Hare is a partnership some Villa fans have been desperate to see develop and yet Bruce headed into a clash against a fellow promotion hopeful with neither of them, seemingly hoping for a lucky goal on the break rather than taking he game to the Rams.
Ultimately, and unsurprisingly, Derby won 2-0, leaving Villa supporters to wonder why Bruce continues to make bizarre decisions before admitting afterwards that yes, perhaps he made a mistake.
Hogan is not a bad player, even if his goal-return for Villa has failed to justify his price tag or the hype that accompanied his arrival. He simply needs the right player operating behind him and O’Hare fits the bill perfectly.
The 19-year-old showed in his EFL Cup appearances earlier this season what he is capable of, quickly forming an impressive understanding with Hogan, who scored three goals in his first two cup outings.
O’Hare is ready to step up for Villa in the league, while overlooking Hogan when they need goals is baffling to say the least.
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