Joe Lolley could have sealed a dream move to his boyhood club, Premier League newcomers Aston Villa, until Forest priced them out.
Almost a year ago today, Joe Lolley produced a devastating attacking performance to light up one of the most remarkable games in Championship history.
Aston Villa 5-5 Nottingham Forest; to say Lolley was fired up at the home of his boyhood club was an understatement. The jet-heeled winger not only thumped a 35-year-old thunderbolt into the top corner, he also produced four assists on a night which cemented the former Huddersfield flyer as one of the most feared attacking talents in the division.
In fact, Lolley made such an impression during that once-in-a-lifetime performance in the Midlands that, according to The Mail, Aston Villa were ready and willing to make his dream come true. But, with Forest putting a prohibitive £15 million price tag on the head of their prized asset, the chance to pull on that famous claret and blue kit passed Lolley by.
Maybe for good.
It’s telling that, with the January transfer window just weeks away, Lolley is conspicuous by his absence from the gossip columns. He hasn’t scored a Championship goal in over two months and, in 19 games, he has managed less assists (3) all season than he produced in one 90 minute masterclass away at Villa last year.
Lolley hasn’t been helped by Sabri Lamouchi’s rather pragmatic tactics, nor the manager’s decision to play the Redditch-born wideman in an ill-suited right-sided role, but the excuses are wearing thin for Forest fans after another anonymous performance in Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw with Middlesbrough.
If Lolley is still dreaming of a move to Aston Villa, he will have to up his game and fast.
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