As January went on it became more evident that Aston Villa needed to recruit players capable of scoring goals.
One forward down and it isn’t yet entirely clear whether former Genk man Mbwana Samatta will be the man to fire the Villans to safety.
Villa have struggled for regular goals throughout the 2019/20 campaign with Wesley scoring just five and his season-ending injury has made the need for a further striker more prominent.
Keinan Davis has just returned from a problem himself but Jonathan Kodjia has also departed the club. With that in mind, another player capable of finding the net is required. Dean Smith recognises that fact too, admitting that they’re looking to conclude further business.
Could that player be Daniel Sturridge? The former Liverpool man has been the subject of interest from Villa according to reports from Turkish outlet Fanatik (via Sport Witness).
The Villans have supposedly made a bid of €5m (£4.2m) for his services, but despite his pedigree, it would be a strange signing.
Did he really play for us?! No Villa fan has managed to name all of these obscure Villans….
In many senses, Smith may only add to his nightmare in attack – specifically because of the injury-prone career that Sturridge has endured.
He may have contributed to eight goals in just nine outings for Trabzonspor this term but it’s incredibly hard to look past the fact he’s already had seven separate injury issues in 2019/20 alone.
The 26-cap England international has had problems ranging from calf strains to thigh muscle ruptures and it’s that patchy fitness record that wouldn’t bode well for Villa.
With Wesley out for the season and Samatta unproven in England, they need someone reliable who can come in, particularly with Davis lacking first-team experience too.
If they want someone to fire them to safety then Sturridge is not their man. Further injury issues are the last thing Villa and Smith want in their battle to beat the drop.
He may have scored over 20 in one season in the top-flight before but that was a long time ago. If they have the time before the window slams shut, they must look elsewhere.
Elsewhere, one Villa man could be nearing the exit door…