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Chiedozie Ogbene an exciting talent but not the answer for Aston Villa

Manager of Aston Villa, Steve Bruce ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Aston Villa at Griffin Park on January 31, 2017 i...
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Aston Villa need a striker and have set their sights on Ogbene, who plays for Limerick in the League of Ireland.

Jonathan Kodjia of Aston Villa scores his sides first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Norwich City at Villa Park on April 1, 2017 in Birmingham, England.

It’s no secret that a new striker is required at Aston Villa in January. Steve Bruce wasn’t lying when he told The Express that news Jonathan Kodjia will be out for a number of months due to an ongoing ankle issue was nothing short of ‘devastating’.

Kodjia hasn’t been at his best this season but was their top scorer in 2016/17. And with Ross McCormack out on loan Down Under, Scott Hogan yet to find his feet in claret and blue and Keinan Davis hardly prolific, Bruce is now facing a real selection headache.

Villa boss Steve Bruce reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St James' Park on February 20, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

But with owner Tony Xia admitting that finances are tight thanks to that pesky Financial Fair Play, per the Birmingham Mail, Villa will need to look for loans – or inspired bargains.

Though Chiedozie Ogbene is probably not the name on the fans lips. The 20-year-old striker is a real talent and the Irish Examiner reports that Villa are poised to make a bid sooner rather than later.

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Cardiff City at Villa Park on November 26, 2016 in Birmingham, England.

But it’s fair to say that Ogbene is one for the future rather than a signing who could make their present hopes of promotion any more realistic.

Ogbene is currently plying his trade across the sea for Irish side Limerick, where he scored eight goals in 38 games last season – and recently had a trial at Premier League champions Chelsea. This alone is an indicator of the youngster’s talent.

But if Villa are to get through the next few months still in contention for a play-off place, it’s likely that they will need more than an unproven young striker from the League of Ireland.

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