The scenario which was composed of frustration and helplessness last season has barely changed for Aston Villa; they looked severely out of touch in the top tier and haven’t looked very good in the second tier either after their relegation. Their chances of ending up in the play-off spots are severely marginal now, thus implying that they would need to pull out something spectacular from here on.
Merely a week or so is left for the transfer to draw the curtains and the Villans need to act, and act very quickly. Steve Bruce, however, is plotting to lure Arsenal ace, Chuba Akpom, on loan for the remainder of the season. His pursuit to acquire the services of Jordan Rhodes from Middlesbrough has failed and thus, Bruce has now turned his attention to Akpom, who made as many as 41 appearances in a loan spell with Hull City to earn them a promotion. The promising youngster is making a recovery from injury and it is now believed that he is one of the prime targets now for Aston Villa in the ongoing transfer window.
The 21-year-old striker had a good impact during Arsenal’s pre-season tour to the Unites Status but his chances of appearing in the Arsenal shirt kept withering away owing to a series of injuries. The plethora of stars in the attacking setup of the Gunners always meant that he would hardly be getting minutes under his belt. This means that he needs to prove his credentials yet again before he gets a nod at Arsenal to ply his trade in the Cup games. Will Akpom’s loan move to the Villa Park benefit all the parties concerned?
Frankly speaking, it would. Akpom’s loan spell at Hull City last season under the tutelage of Steve Bruce was hugely productive and a combo comprising these two can create wonders yet again. There is no doubt in his capabilities, though it’s his erratic performances which have seen career stalling.
In a situation like this, Arsenal would not mind sending their prodigal son to get back in the scheme of things under Bruce and Akpom himself would get the much needed minutes under his belt. Aston Villa would get to lay their hands on one of the finest upcoming players in English football. Akpom has accumulated a decent amount of experience from his loans spells at Coventry City, Nottingham Forest and Hull City and would lend an important helping hand to Bruce if the deal materialises.
