Aston Villa: Ross McCormack is the simplest goal solution

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Ross McCormack of Aston Villa in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Huddersfield Town at Villa Park on August 16, 2016 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Ross McCormack of Aston Villa in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Huddersfield Town at Villa Park on August 16, 2016 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Aston Villa had a serious scoring problem in the English Championship. The need for a consistent goal threat beside Jonathan Kodjia is paramount next season. The simplest solution is Ross McCormack finding renewed form.

If the reports are true, Aston Villa do not have a ton of money to spend this summer transfer window. Unless Steve Bruce and chief executive Keith Wyness unload several dead-weight fringe players, Bruce’s wish list will have to be very short.

As such, the simplest solution to finding more goals is a re-energized Ross McCormack. Before this season, Ross was a consistent destructive threat with a combination of precise technical qualities and slick movement off the ball.

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McCormack’s previous three five league goal tallies? 21, 17, 28, 5, 18.

It’s a pipe dream to imagine McCormack having another 20-goal season entering the age of 31. However, 10 should be a given with a consistent place in the eighteen.

McCormack’s versatility adds to Bruce’s possibilities. Ross could play as a central number nine, as well as underneath in a number ten role. Jonathan Kodjia is set to miss at least the first month of the Championship season. With that said, it’s up to Scott Hogan and Ross McCormack to supply the goals in the Ivorian’s absence.

Instead of splashing more cash on a forward who will most likely sit behind Jonathan Kodjia, play Ross, who’s already on the squad.

Aston Villa are not going to recoup even half of McCormack’s £12 million figure from last summer. Therefore, the easiest solution is for the former Scotland international to apologize to Steve Bruce and re-enter pre-season training fit and hungry.

Time will tell whether Ross McCormack is content collecting his paycheck; or whether he’s hungry to reclaim his title as a Championship menace.