Steve Bruce spent big at Aston Villa in the January transfer window to try and improve their squad, but they are yet to win in 2017.
Danny Higginbotham has told Sky Sports News that Aston Villa’s new January additions Conor Hourihane and Henri Lansbury are causing Steve Bruce’s side a problem, as neither of them are sitting midfielders.
Villa invested sizeable funds into bringing in Hourihane and Lansbury from Barnsley and Nottingham Forest respectively last month.
However, the pair have struggled to make an immediate impact at Villa since they joined the club.
The claret and blues are yet to win a match in 2017, despite Bruce making a serious amount of additions.
And Higginbotham said: “Henri Lansbury and Conor Hourihane are two of the best midfielders in the Championship, but the problem is that neither is defensively-minded. Aston Villa are starting to be open to the counter-attack. There are huge spaces, so one pass can turn defence into attack for the opposition.
“James Chester and Nathan Baker are going into areas they shouldn’t because they haven’t got that out-and-out sitting midfielder. That’s where I think the return of Mile Jedinak could be key for them.”
Villa’s terrible run of form has seen them drop down the Championship table.
Bruce’s side are in 17th place in the second tier, and they are in serious trouble.
Villa are only six points above the relegation zone, with a tough run of fixtures ahead of them.
Villa are next in action this evening, when they take on league leaders Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
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