After the 0-0 draw against Millwall, Aston Villa dropped a chance to move into the 4th spot in the Championship points table and though manager Steve Bruce will be relatively happy with his side’s performances this season, he will know that they have a few frailties, that need some work in the January transfer window, to ensure a real shot at promotion.
The Villains have the third-best defence in the English second tier and have been hard to beat this season but having scored just 29 goals, the least in the top-7, their attack could be their downfall, come the business end of the season.
So it does not come as a surprise that they are desperate to sign an attacker, who can add some goals to their side for the second half of the season and one name extensively linked with a move to the Villa Park is Bournemouth star Lewis Grabban.
Currently on loan at Sunderland, the 29-year old has been the best player for the Black Cats and is the only thing keeping them from falling into the third tier. He has 11 goals in just 16 starts at the Stadium of Light and has been one of the best players in the Championship this season.
His form could see Bournemouth go calling back in January but reports claim that the Cherries are ready to offload him for a decent price, while in form, and Villa are one of a few clubs who are interested.
Having played for 10 different English clubs in his senior career, Grabban is an established striker, who is perfect for the English game. He can hold the ball up well in the final third, while his intelligent movement is what makes him even more dangerous.
He can score different kinds of goals but pries on his positioning inside the box. Passing and dribbling are his forte and as it has been evident this season, he is a player not easy to mark. He averages at least one key pass per game and will fit in well in the system under Bruce at Villa Park.
Keinan Davis has been Villa’s go-to man in attack this season but the 19-year old has managed just two goals and an assist this season, in 16 starts. Jonathan Kodjia is the manager’s preferred choice but he is out with a long-term injury, leaving the club short-handed in the attack.
Scott Hogan is the only other option for the manager in the first team and spending on a striker is a necessity for Bruce as a chance to play in the top flight again, is what is on the line.
The likes of Danny Ings are also linked with a move to Aston Villa but the experience Grabban has accrued this season seems to be a better choice for them. Grabban, however, can only be taken on loan due to the FFP policies and it might not be easy to persuade him but at just 28, he is in his prime and Villa should do all it takes to land him in January.
