With Scott Sinclair finding the net five times in two games for Aston Villa, do Tim Sherwood’s men really need a new striker?
As the summer transfer window slammed shut last Tuesday evening, Villa were left without another new striker. The options going ahead now are Jordan Ayew, Rudy Gestede, Libor Kozák and Gabriel Agbonlahor – and only one of those players have extensive Premier League experience.
Despite reports that Emmanuel Adebayor had completed a medical and even posed for photos, the Togolese did not sign a contract. A rumour that Dimitar Berbatov was spotted at Birmingham International was also circulating around Twitter and various online forums.
But they were never great options for Villa anyway, the pair are both well into their thirties and demanding high wages, with Adebayor having some noticeable problems off the pitch and Berbatov failing to impress in his last Premier League season with Fulham.
Although Sherwood attempted to bring in Dwight Gayle on-loan from Crystal Palace, the offer was rejected and a last minute deal for Charlie Austin never seemed likely either.
Meanwhile, Ayew found the net on international duty for Ghana and Villa fans will be hoping that sparks the 23-year-old into producing performances on the level his brother, André, has for Swansea City. But his scoring form was not bad in France for FC Lorient, finding the net 12 times in 31 Ligue 1 appearances.
Libor Kozák now has the chance to prove himself to not only Sherwood and the coaching staff, but also the Villa Park faithful, who were signing his name during the match with Sunderland after he rejected a move to reigning Scottish champions, Celtic.
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The 26-year-old has been largely absent from the Villa first XI since he joined in 2013, due to a handful of injuries which started with a short stay on the sidelines with a toe issue, then breaking his leg in training which forced him to miss the entirety of 2014-15. As cliché as it is, he will be like a new signing for the team, especially as there are a bunch of new faces turning up at Bodymoor Heath this summer. It is unfortunate for him that his strengths are matched by Rudy Gestede and at the moment Sherwood seems to fancy the Benin international for the starting berth.
But so far the 26-year-old has failed to impress after scoring the winning goal in the Bournemouth game, his performance in the danger area against Sunderland left a lot to be desired. While the hold-up play was excellent, he could do with some extensive shooting practise, struggling to properly get his foot behind the ball when a more competent striker would have found the next.
With no one coming in and Berbatov now off the cards, it might be Villa’s No.9 Sinclair who may provide the clinical attacking threat Villa need, having scored two Premier League goals already this term.
Of course, it would be ludicrous to suggest the Englishman can replace the departed Christian Benteke’s scoring contribution, but he can soften the blow. Indeed, one of his goals against Notts County was what one would describe as a ‘proper poachers’ finish’, after finding himself on the end of a Jack Grealish pass. If he can get into similar positions, Villa have the attacking prowess to supply him the ball.
The question remains – has he got it in him to score the goals the Villans need? The only season where Sinclair was lethal in front of goal was Swansea’s Championship promotion campaign, when the former Manchester City winger found the net 27 times in 50 appearances for the Swans. But a return of eight goals in 38 Premier League showings is decent for a wide-man. If he is going to fill the void of a striker, that Sherwood obviously needs, he will need to break double figures.
Overall Villa’s squad is looking stronger, despite the losses of Benteke and former fan-favourite Fabian Delph. However, the failure to properly replace the Belgian leaves the side weak in the striking department and the midfield may have to pick up the slack this season.
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