Is Wesley the answer up front for Villa? – Here’s why they need a new striker
Aston Villa haven’t enjoyed the best starts to the season upfront, and especially from new signing Wesley.
The Brazilian, who joined in a big-money deal from Belgian side Club Brugge, has only netted the once so far since joining.
Meanwhile, other newcomers to the league such as Tammy Abraham and Teemu Pukki have really taken to the division, and have risen to the top of the scoring charts.
So, what is the issue with Wesley?
Really, it has to be the fact the striker is not suited for the role Villa are trying to put him in.
Wesley was never going to get 25 goals a season. That is really the opposite of what he is.
He only got nine goals last season in Belgium, so it would be unrealistic to ask him to become a lethal goalscorer like Abraham or Pukki has become in the top flight.
Wesley is more suited to playing off a striker, dropping deep and allowing others to run off him.
Therefore, Villa need to open the chequebook again in January, to sign an out and out striker.
Tammy Abraham broke Villa goalscoring records in this team last season don’t forget, and Dean Smith really needs to go out and get someone similar to the now-Chelsea forward.
Wesley still has a part to play in this Villa team, but he is ineffective in the role that Dean Smith is playing him right now.
All this is also before Villa’s huge lack of depth up front, with the club already down to two fit strikers at the club after Jonathan Kodjia’s injury…