Scott Hogan has drawn his underwhelming Aston Villa career to a close, joining Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee.
Embed from Getty ImagesHogan joined Villa for an eye-watering £12 million from Brentford at the end of the January 2017 transfer window, in a deal that with the benefit of hindsight must go down as a huge waste.
It was a deal thought to be worth up to £15m including add-ons. Yikes.
The striker arrived at Villa Park having scored 21 goals in 34 appearances for Brentford, but in truth, rarely suggested that he would replicate anything like that form in Claret and Blue.
Whilst Hogan cut a down to earth and likeable figure, he struggled badly on the field. Signed on the basis of making progressive runs into the channels, these increasingly drew blanks as the striker cut a player way out of his depth.
In some respects he wasn’t helped by a Villa side that lurched in terms of signings, tactics and turmoil, but did little to help his own cause either.
The former Rochdale striker arrived at Villa Park as the club continued on a wasteful trajectory under the Dr Tony Xia regime, evidenced by other haphazard recruitment of the likes of Ross McCormack, Henri Lansbury and Birkir Bjarnason (to name but few).
Hogan’s lack of discernible progress saw him gradually fall out of favour at Villa Park and consequently farmed out to Sheffield United and Stoke where he had unremarkable temporary spells.
He enjoyed a brief upturn in fortunes last season, scoring 7 goals in 17 games whilst on loan at Blues, although he failed to continue this improved goalscoring form post-lockdown.
The 28 year old joins Blues on a four year deal, for what can only conceivably be a nominal fee.
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It’s Villa that Flopped not Hogan. Brought a playmaking forward to use as a target man because there are kick and rush Who hoofball team. Playing write and scores Sets goals and quality player.
…when it comes crashing down and it hurts inside, you gotta take a stand it don’t help to hide. Injuries, loss of form and confidence. That was the Scott Hogan story at Villa, unfortunately. I had high hopes when he arrived, but honestly nothing ever seemed to go his way. It’s certainly not the first time that’s happened with one of our players, and it probably won’t be the last.
Could have been worse, I suppose. At least he didn’t become a meme. He didn’t have have Steve Bruce climbing over his gates like Ross McCormack.
All the best Scott. Here’s hoping you continue banging the goals in for the Blues. Just so long as we avoid you in the Cup.