Whilst Villa have already taken huge strides in improving the attack by purchasing Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore, it seems that further move could be on the cards.
With former record signing Wesley still sidelined by a horror knee injury on New Years Day [perhaps until at least the new year], reinforcements will be required to see Villa through until then.
We certainly cannot be scratching around for the likes of Borja Baston again.
The fact is that despite having other strikers on the books, none have proven capable of delivering the goals Villa needed to keep their heads above water in the Premier League. Equally, do we have the luxury of taking the chance that their fortunes will change?
Mbwana Samatta showed all too fleeting moments of promise after a pricey January switch. A single goal in the league and another in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley was inadequate as Villa lurched perilously close to relegation.
The Tanzanian international could yet see himself shipped out on loan with at least two Turkish sides interested. Increasingly desperate promoted locals West Brom are equally keen in seeing him in their rhubarb and custard kit too.
Keinan Davis, as likeable he is in terms of his technical attributes, still doesn’t have a top flight goal. The 22 year old did grab a goal in the recent cup win at Burton, but is also rumoured to be off to the Championship on loan.
Joshua King
Embed from Getty ImagesWith Celtic’s Edouard holding out for a move to a team with European football, Villa are having to expand their search for supporting cast members for Ollie Watkins.
Notably Villa did hold a firm interest in Callum Wilson, with Dean Smith having a £21m bid accepted by Bournemouth before the striker opted to join Newcastle. Importantly, this was before the striker agreed personal terms, with a weekly salary in excess of £75,000.
Villa’s attentions have since turned to his former team-mate, Josh King.
King is an interesting link, not just for having been a mainstay for the South coast club during their Premier League spell, but also quietly going about his business at international level.
Indeed, The Villa Underground caught King in action in Oslo in November 2019, as Norway swept the Faroe Island’s aside 4-0. The 28 year old bagged an assist on a bitter evening at the Ullevaal Stadion.
King is thought to want a move away from Bournemouth following relegation and has been omitted from the matchday squads for their first three Championship games.
King has scored 48 goals for the Cherries in 160 games and would command a fee in the region of £14m.
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I suspect his wages might be the sticking point