Aston Villa need to seriously improve their player recruitment this summer.
Aston Villa Manager Steve Bruce
Saying that Aston Villa have been woeful over the past couple of months is an understatement to say the least.
The players have badly let Steve Bruce down, and they currently sit in 17th position in the Championship table, just six points adrift of 22nd placed Wigan Athletic, having not won a league game since Boxing Day.
And the Villa boss will have to make serious changes to his playing staff in the summer, if they are to mount a promotion bid next season, presuming that he is still in charge when that time comes around.
One area of the pitch where the Villans need to address is the deep-lying midfield role.
Despite Mile Jedinak performing well since his move to Villa Park in the summer, he has only made 21 league appearances, due to a succession of injury problems, and with him due to turn 33 before the start of next season, an addition in his position will be needed in order for Bruce’s men to cope with the rigours of the Championship season.
And Sunderland’s Jan Kirchhoff could be just the man for the job.
Sunderland’s Jan Kirchhoff
The 26-year-old will be a free agent in the summer, should he fail to agree a new deal with the Black Cats, and the Villa hierarchy should do everything within their power to bring him to the club.
The towering German is currently out injured, but is set to return to action imminently.
He is versatile, and can operate in central defence as well as the holding midfield role. This could prove to be vital to Villa as Bruce looks to help navigate his side through one of the most physically punishing leagues in the world.
Standing at 6ft 5in tall, the former Bayern Munich man is a powerful physical specimen, yet he also possesses superb technical ability, and is more than comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Kirchhoff is well and truly a class act, and for Villa to have any chance whatsoever of signing him during the summer transfer window, they must entire that they remain in the Championship this season at the very least.
Sunderland’s Jan Kirchhoff in action
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