Aston Villa have reportedly taken giant defender Chris Samba on trial.
Christopher Samba (R)
According to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa have handed a trial to free agent centre back Christopher Samba as Steve Bruce looks to add to his squad outside of the transfer window.
Villa lost 2-0 away at Newcastle United on Monday evening, meaning it’s now seven defeats in eight Championship games since the beginning of 2017.
With just one point in that run, the pressure on manager Steve Bruce is mounting, and whilst his side are struggling to score goals, keeping them out isn’t their strong suit either.
Newcastle’s first goal on Monday saw Villa fail to clear their lines with nobody taking charge of the situation before Yoan Gouffran prodded the Magpies in front.
Manager Bruce hasn’t been able to settle on a consistent partnership at the back with James Chester, Tommy Elphick and Nathan Baker all featuring, but he now looks to be interest in boosting his options outside of the transfer window.
The Bimingham Mail report that Villa have now taken free agent defender Christopher Samba on trial, with a view to the centre back earning a permanent contract at Villa Park.
Christopher Samba and Norwich’s Wes Hoolahan (R) in action
Samba, 32, is a free agent having left Greek giants Panathinaikos in January, adding to his nomadic career in recent years following two spells with Anzhi Makhachkala as wel las a stint with Dynamo Moscow.
Samba was once highly-rated during his time at Blackburn Rovers, and after joining Anzhi in 2012, Queens Park Rangers splashed out £12.5million (The Independent) to sign the Congo international.
Now, just four years on, Samba is a free agent and desperately looking for a club, with Villa now offering him the chance to win a contract and boost Bruce’s struggling back line until the end of the season.
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