LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

Would Aston Villa signing Jonathan Walters be a kick in the teeth for Scott Hogan?

Steve Bruce, Manager of Aston Villa smiles prior to The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at White Hart L...
Follow us on Google Discover

Aston Villa are linked with a forward who has never been prolific.

Jonathan Walters of Burnley looks on during the pre season friendly match between Preston North End and Burnley at Deepdale on July 25, 2017 in Preston, England.

According to the Sun on Sunday (17/12/2017), Aston Villa are interested in signing Jonathan Walters on loan from Burnley in January, but such a move could be a kick in the teeth for a forward already available to Steve Bruce.

Scott Hogan may have struggled to replicate his best form at Villa Park but much of that has been done to the way he has been utilised, and if he is played through the middle with support directly behind from a smart attacking midfielder, he could soon be scoring for fun.

Aston Villa players celebrate their first goal, scored by Scott Hogan (3rd R), during the Carabao Cup First Round match between Colchester United and Aston Villa at Colchester Community...

While Villa are struggling in the absence of Jonathan Kodjia, and with youngster Keinan Davis joining him on the side-lines last week, it would be an uninspiring move signing a striker who has made a career out of not scoring goals.

Walters is hardly the most prolific of forwards, with just 30 in 136 Championship appearances and 43 in 232 top flight games. In short, he is not a player who is suddenly going to fire Villa to promotion and Bruce would be better off focusing on a player who can score regularly in the second tier, if only he was given a chance.

Steve Bruce manager of Aston Villa looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Aston Villa at iPro Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Derby, England.

Hogan must wonder where it has all gone wrong, especially when he was overlooked for the weekend clash against Derby County despite Villa have literally no other available forwards.

As a result, Bruce opted to play without a recognised goal-scorer and Villa lost 2-0 as a consequence.

Walters is not the answer for Villa but, where he to arrive, it would be clear that Hogan’s time there is all but over.