Size matters in Bruce’s search for a new striker
STEVE Bruce reckons Villa’s pulling power will enable him to land an experienced No.9 in January.
The boss has reiterated he ‘doesn’t have millions to spend’ on a striker, despite the long-term injury to Jonathan Kodjia.
But Villa are still setting their standards high in the pursuit of a forward who can come in on loan until the end of the season.
Swansea’s Oli McBurnie has been linked but it is understood Villa are looking for a hitman with more experience.
Nakhi Wells is still on their radar having been considered before he moved to Burnley for £5million in the summer. He is out of favour at Turf Moor but may be kept on for the second half of the season.
Villa are also in for Leicester’s Leo Ulloa. The Foxes are expected to let him leave but will weigh up their own options first.
Liverpool’s Danny Ings could also come into contention but Villa would face stiff competition from Premier League clubs West Ham and Crystal Palace if they were to make a move.
Bruce will also monitor a number of other top-flight strikers who are struggling to get a look-in to see if they could become available.
Having lured players from the Premier League in the summer, the manager is confident he can pull off another high-profile capture to add to the loan signings of Sam Johnstone (Manchester United), Josh Onomah (Tottenham) and Robert Snodgrass (West Ham).
“It’s like playing for a Premier League club here because of the size of the club, the facilities and the crowd and the atmosphere we create every week at Villa Park,” said Bruce.
“We’re looking at loans because we haven’t got the luxury of spending millions. It’s easier if you’ve got a bit of money to try to buy a centre-forward or whatever you need, which at the moment we haven’t got.
“It’s vitally important we still have to be on our guard. Can we be creative? Can we find somebody? I’m sure this club will enable me to do it.” The good news for Villa is that both Gabby Agbonlahor and Scott Hogan are on the mend and could be back sooner than expected to help Keinan Davis in attack. Villa also want to sign Lewis Grabban in January after the striker’s impressive form on loan at Sunderland. The 29-year-old’s goalscoring exploits have been one of few positives during a miserable season for the Black Cats. Grabban, who is on loan at the Stadium of Light from Bournemouth, has hit 11 goals in 17 appearances for the struggling Wearside club. Cherries’ boss Eddie Howe is preparing to recall him when the transfer window opens next month with a view to potentially moving him on permanently. A move back to the Championship could be on the cards with Villa having taken an interest, according to sources.
Meanwhile, Agbonlahor can still win himself a new contract, Bruce has confirmed.
But Villa’s longest-serving current player MUST prove his worth in the second half of the season.
The 31-year-old has missed the last three months with a calf injury but Bruce insisted he was pleased with his efforts before the setback.
“It’s a big, important time for Gabby,” said the boss. “In the first game of the season I picked him because of the pre-season he had and unfortunately he had a horrible injury, a really bad tear of his calf.
“The big thing for Gabby now is can he get himself back into the team and get himself fit and put himself in a position to get a new contract at the end of the season?
“I’ve got a totally open mind on that, of course. In over a year he’s done everything he can and he’s picked up a horrible calf injury, which is annoying. So it’s all up to Gabby.”
Agbonlahor could come into contention this week providing he has no further setbacks.