Aston Villa: Jordan Ayew to the Premier League?

Jordan Ayew left Birmingham yesterday to join Ghana in their quest for an AFCON title. Will last season’s leading goal scorer ever return to Aston Villa?

Despite The Ghana Football Association letting Ayew depart Villa a full 24 hours later than scheduled, the attacker failed to make an appearance from Steve Bruce’s bench. Monday’s 1-0 defeat in Cardiff left Aston Villa even further from a playoff promotion spot.

Reports from the United Kingdom indicate Steve Bruce may allow Ayew to leave Aston Villa should the right bid arrive. Ayew signed from Lorient of Ligue 1 in the summer of 2015 after an £8 million pound agreement. After impressing greatly in his debut Premier League season, his form has deteriorated this term.

Ayew, 25, is stuck on two league goals; playing innumerable positions in the process, including: both wings, as a number ten, and central striker.

Swansea City and Hull City, both of the Premier League, are said to be weighing up bids for Jordan Ayew. This, along with reports from last week that Chinese clubs were interested in Ayew’s services, seem to suggest Jordan could leave Aston Villa.

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Villa are unlikely to accept anything less than the £8 million they paid for him just one and a half seasons ago. Rightfully so, Ayew is immensely talented and still under contract.

It seems Steve Bruce is frustrated with Ayew’s poor play coupled with questions around his natural position.

While frustrating at times to watch, moving Ayew this window would be disappointing unless another player is immediately lined-up. One with a defined position of necessity-like central midfield/attacking midfield.

Owner Tony Xia should decline bids unless they reach a more suitable figure for a player of Jordan Ayew’s ability: somewhere in the £12-£14 million pound range.

In related Aston Villa news: Young defenders Kevin Toner and Easah Suliman depart their loan clubs in a return to the claret and blue set-up.

Toner, 20 & an Ireland youth international, made over twenty appearances for Walsall FC. He should serve as the number four center-back for Aston Villa moving forward, ceteris paribus.

Suliman departs Cheltenham Town injured after five starts and four other substitute appearances. The 18-year old recently signed a new Aston Villa contract just last week.

Tottenham Hotspur host Aston Villa in 3rd-round FA Cup action over the weekend.