Aston Villa: Where Are The Goals?

The claret and blue have been nothing short of woeful offensively this season. Who is to make-up for the club’s lack of goal scoring?

It is no secret Aston Villa Football Club have struggled at scoring this season. Villa’s total sits at 35 league goals from 36 matches, comfortably under one goal per match (0.972).

Of those 35 goals, Jonathan Kodjia accounts for 13 of them (37.1%). The remainder? Spread around across eleven different players, four of whom are not even employed by the club anymore! Current Middlesbrough striker Rudy Gestede is in second with four goals. Attacking midfielders Jack Grealish and Albert Adomah hold three a piece.

More from Claret Villans

• Aston Villa dismiss Everton for first win of Premier League season
• Tyrone Mings injured in Aston Villa’s season-opening 5-1 defeat
• Aston Villa draw Hibernian or FC Luzern for Europa Conference League play-off
• Aston Villa sign winger Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen
• Aston Villa close in on deal to sign Pau Torres from Villareal

Jonathan Kodjia, 13 goals

Rudy Gestede, 4 goals

Albert Adomah, 3 goals

Jack Grealish, 3 goals

Ross McCormack, 3 goals

Jordan Ayew, 2 goals

Leandro Bacuna, 1 goal

Nathan Baker, 1 goal

James Chester, 1 goal

Gary Gardner, 1 goal

Conor Hourihane, 1 goal

Aaron Tshibola, 1 goal

*One own goal*

It is pretty incredible that Aston Villa have used an astonishing number of players thus far – thirty-five in total to be exact. It is even more astonishing that the club currently employs only three (!) that have scored more than once this campaign.

Where exactly are all the goals for Aston Villa?

For one, forward Scott Hogan was expected to remedy this drought. However, the club failed to realize his injury history. As such, the burden falls directly onto Jonathan Kodjia night after night. Loaning out Ross McCormack, transferring Rudy Gestede, and relying on a pair of teenagers was the plan Villa executives followed. It is backfiring.

Moving forward, the club should expect increased production from midfield. Henri Lansbury and Conor Hourihane at least have a history of scoring in the Football League.

Next: 3 Aston Villa Players Under Pressure Entering Next Season

Villa seemingly live and die with Jonathan Kodjia at the helm. When he scores, the club might be winning. When he does not? Almost certain losing ensues.

It is vital Steve Bruce finds someone else this season to carry the burden. The club cannot rely solely on Kodjia’s production entering next season.