Red- hot Hogan sends message to Bruce

SCOTT HOGAN has told Steve Bruce not to bother buying a striker this month because he is proving he can be Aston Villa’s No 9. The former Brentford forward scored at the City Ground to clinch Villa’s third straight Championship win. It followed a similar effort against Bristol City to indicate the 25-year-old is ready to start repaying the £9million Villa paid for him 12 months ago and lead their bid for promotion. With Jonathan Kodjia ruled out for the season with a broken ankle, Villa have been linked with Leicester City’s Leonardo Ulloa — but Hogan has a simple answer. ‘I will tell the manager, “Don’t bother”,’ he said. ‘If you want to get someone, go on. But he isn’t going to play because I will keep my place. I am not giving it up now. ‘I will get the goals. Hopefully, they might buy someone and not need them.’ It is exactly the sort of fighting talk Bruce wants to hear as Villa’s challenge for automatic promotion continues to build momentum. With John Terry returning after two months out injured and Robert Snodgrass in sensational form, Villa look set to push for second place. But they have needed a proven striker since Kodjia, who scored 19 goals last term, was sidelined. England Under 20 striker Keinan Davis is a fine prospect but needs to share the duties. Horror shows against Brentford and, in the FA Cup, Peterborough have increased the pressure on Villa but 46 points from 24 league games is promotion form. Hogan says Bruce has created a spirit in the dressing room that enables them to shut out any hysteria. ‘That is one of the things which gets missed,’ Hogan said. ‘People look at the names we have in the group and think we are all individuals. viduals. We are a tight-knit group.’ roup.’ Hogan nipped ped in to head home Snodgrass’s s cross after 18 minutes. Villa then took ook control against a Nottingham ottingham Forest side who, despite knocking Arsenal rsenal out of the Cup, are e a work in progress under nder new boss Aitor Karanka. nka. Defender Eric ric Lichaj said: ‘If we go from om a base like the Arsenal enal game… in terms of our shape and work ethic, thic, then whatever the he manager brings rings will be a step ep in the right direction.’