Aston Villa: Four strikers to solve Villa scoring woes
By Josh Tonti
Aston Villa Football Club scored just 47 goals in 46 league matches in 2016/2017. Their output, good for 21st in the Championship, sorely needs improvement heading into next season. Here’s a list of diverse names that could aid Villa in a promotion push.
1. ST – Peter Crouch, 36
Ah, a former Villa man, Peter Crouch. Crouch enjoyed three season at Villa Park from 2001-2004. In which, he scored just six Premier League goals.
Fast forward a decade and the 6’7″ striker has the most headed goals in Premier League history. Moreover, he featured in two World Cups with 22 England strikes to his resume.
Peter Crouch featured in 26 league matches this season for Stoke City. However, the caveat is 14 of those came from the bench. In his 12 starts and 14 sub appearances, Crouch delivered six goals and two assists 1,246 minutes of PL football. Not a bad return.
Crouch offers a different look to both Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan. With Kodjia out for the first ~two months of the season, Crouch could begin the year as a starting forward.
Several problems persist with this idea. Crouch is a legend at Stoke. Would the Englishman want to leave the club to play one level below in the Championship? Furthermore, is a 36-year old the type of player Aston Villa should be investing in?
Manager Steve Bruce and company could elect to go a younger route.