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Could January transfer window decision come back to haunt Aston Villa?

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce (REUTERS)
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Aston Villa find themselves short in forward areas following injuries to their key strikers.

Aston Villa manager Steve BruceAston Villa manager Steve Bruce

Aston Villa are currently in the midst of a mini injury crisis in the striker department, with Jonathan Kodjia the only recognised forward available for selection after Scott Hogan joined a whole host of players on the Villa Park treatment table.

As if Steve Bruce didn’t have enough trouble on his plate already, he now has to find a way to win football matches without any kind of real firepower.

And despite Ross McCormack’s reported indiscretions, will the Villa boss now be regretting allowing the 30-year-old to join Nottingham Forest on loan in the January transfer window?

The former Fulham man has been far from prolific since his move to the City Ground, scoring just once in four Championship appearances, but having a man of the Scot’s calibre and experience still at the club could have made all the difference to Villa’s hopes of pushing themselves up the table during this moment in time.

Having so many forwards injured, Bruce would have had to give McCormack a sustained run of games, and it could have been an opportunity that the striker thrived upon.

Aston Villa's Ross McCormack reacts Ross McCormack

Instead, the Villa manager will be praying that Kodjia remains fit and healthy, otherwise he will be forced to delve into the free agent market – something that rarely yields success in the long-term.

There will not be many Villa fans who were sad to see the back of McCormack, but the question has to be asked in light of recent events – did Bruce allow him to leave Villa Park too soon?

Sheffield Wednesday’s Keiren Westwood saves a penalty from Nottingham Forest's Ross McCormackNottingham Forest’s Ross McCormack in action