Do Aston Villa still need reported summer target Peter Crouch?

Follow us on Google Discover

Aston Villa were linked with a move for Stoke City striker Peter Crouch during the summer transfer window, but do they still need him?

Back in July, The Sun reported that Aston Villa were keen on following up the stunning deal that saw John Terry arrive at Villa Park by targeting another Premier League veteran as they looked to get themselves out of the Championship at the second attempt.

The Sun suggested that Stoke striker Peter Crouch was on Villa’s radar, and he may have been keen on a move given that he has struggled for game-time with the Potters.

But The Sun added that the finances of any potential deal would prove to be a stumbling block, with the 36-year-old not willing to take a pay-cut, and it seems that that may have been too great a hurdle to clear as the deal never took place.

So will Villa feel heading into this international break that they missed an opportunity not bringing the former England man to the Championship?

Had that question been asked ahead of Villa’s trip to Barnsley in mid-September, the answer may well have been an emphatic yes.

Steve Bruce’s men had scored just seven league goals in seven games heading into the clash at Oakwell, and four of those had come in one game against Norwich.

At that point, Gabby Agbonlahor had been the only forward to score a league goal, so Crouch’s experience may have made him a welcome addition to a squad that was crying for a forward who could take advantage of the quality coming from the players behind him.

However, Villa have boasted a flawless run in their four league games since, scoring 10 goals along the way – including two from Keinan Davis and one for Jonathan Kodjia.

With Kodjia missing the early part of the season due to injury, it would appear that he is starting to get back up to speed, while Davis seems to have really stepped up this term.

Therefore, while Crouch showed his poacher instinct at the weekend – scoring Stoke’s winner against Southampton – Bruce may not currently be ruing not signing him as it now appears that they have the strength in depth up front to compete near the summit of the table.

And while Crouch’s presence may have boosted their promotion hopes further, the finances seemingly required to get a deal across the line would have probably made the move a gamble that now looks somewhat unnecessary.