Should Aston Villa challenge Leeds for Manchester United’s Wilson?

Follow us on Google Discover

Leeds are interested in signing James Wilson on loan from Manchester United but should Aston Villa enter the race?

Steve Bruce, manager of Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship match against Bristol City.

On August 16, Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce admitted that he was in the market for a new striker after watching his side lose 2-1 at Reading.

At the time Jonathan Kodjia was still injured, Ross McCormack was expected to leave and Bruce was yet to promote Keinan Davis from the Under-23s on a regular basis.

Jonathan Kodjia of Aston Villa in action during the Sky Bet Championship match against Middlesbrough.

“We need to score, we need to really look at what we’ve got at the top end of the pitch because without Kodjia at the moment we are a bit toothless I have to say that,” the 56-year-old told the Birmingham Mail.

“We have to try to address that if we can. I will say to the supporters there won’t be millions spent.

“I’ll try my best with what we can to try to bring something in that will help us, especially at the top end of the pitch.”

James Wilson of Manchester United celebrates scoring their third goal during the FA Cup Fourth round replay match against Cambridge United.

As Bruce outlines, financial constraints at Villa Park limited what forward could potentially be signed, although two days later he admitted there was interest in bringing in Sam Gallagher on loan from Southampton.

“It’s something we’re looking at,” he told the same newspaper. “He interests us yes.”

As it was Gallagher joined rivals Birmingham City instead and the Villans failed in their quest to recruit in attack, with Davis emerging as an effective figure upfront.

That said, midfielder Conor Hourihane remains the side’s topscorer and Gabby Agbonlahor and Scott Hogan have failed to impress, suggesting Bruce could perhaps still do with a new face in the final third come the January transfer window.

So perhaps the former Manchester United defender should return to his old club and join Leeds United and Reading in the race to sign James Wilson on loan, with the Sun reporting their interest.