Aston Villa have a made quite a recovery under Steve Bruce after a horror start to their Championship campaign under Roberto De Matteo. However, the Villans are still a far way off a playoff spot. They are seven points behind Sheffield Wednesday who are sixth in the League right now. Steve Bruce is a pro when it comes to challenging for promotion in the Championship and one thing we can assure the fans is that you can expect a much more competitive Villa side in the second half.
Steve Bruce will have plenty of concerns regarding his team which is why we can expect him to have a busy January this time around. A position where the Midlands side must improve is in the middle of the park and Bruce has certainly addressed that if reports are to be believed. The Express and Star claims that Aston Villa are poised to make an offer for Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Henri Lansbury.
Nottingham are having a horror season in the Championship this time but Lansbury has been a stellar performer for them. His contract at the City Ground expires in the summer but the Championship side are keen to hold onto him. Derby County have already seen their £2.5m bid rejected for the Nottingham skipper. Premier League side Watford are also keen on the 26-year-old. Amidst so much speculation, Steve Bruce publicly claiming that his side have made an enquiry for the Arsenal youth product is hugely significant.
It is pretty clear that Aston Villa badly need creativity in their midfield. So often this season, they have looked dull in the middle of the park. The likes of Westwood, Gardner, Tshibola and Jedinak all are pretty average while going forward. Jack Grealish is the only midfielder who offers creativity in the side but he is more of a number ten. Lansbury is a number eight by trade and has an eye for goals from midfield as well as acting as the team’s prime playmaker. Such a player is badly needed at Villa Park.
Lansbury has scored 6 goals and set up 3 for his teammates from 17 Championship outings this season which is certainly impressive for a central midfielder. He is a proven Championship campaigner and despite the attacking outlet he offers, his exemplary work rate and industry help the team defensively too.
He could exactly be the player Villa need in the midfield alongside Jedinak. The combination of Jeninak’s defensive steel and Lansbury’s overall contribution could make the Villa midfield much more complete.
