A Case For Villa To Sign Ashley Barnes
By Dean Caffrey
Burnley are having a fine season in the Premier League so far lying comfortably in the top 6. One man who won’t be so happy is striker Ashley Barnes. He’s made only 3 league starts so far but last week scored his maiden goal of this campaign. Burnley tends to prefer playing with 1 forward which has been mostly Chris Wood so far who has scored some important goals this season. With Sam Vokes acting as back up and with Jon Walters and Naki Wells to return from injury and with both being only newly signed, it’s fair to assume once fit they’d jump ahead of Barnes in the pecking order for Sean Dyche.
Aston Villa’s striker troubles are well-documented with only one senior forward fit and healthy and even he is only 19 years old: Keinan Davis. Jonathan Kodjia will potentially miss the whole season, Scott Hogan having recent surgery on his stomach and Gabby Agbonlahor’s lack of form and fitness a constant worry. The attack will need to be supplemented in January to sustain a promotion push. The club still have Financial Fair Play restrictions due to recent heavy losses made and as a result funds available to Steve Bruce will be minimal so the loan market is the best bet.
Bruce likes a powerful forward capable of holding the ball up and bringing others into play and Ashley Barnes can certainly fill that role. Not the quickest of players but he is a real nuisance to defenders. The rough and tough style of the Championship will no doubt be to his taste. A loan move to Villa can also act as a springboard to future success in terms of proving to Dyche that he can be relied upon to lead the attack for Burnley. If he scores goals for Villa at the top end of the Championship, it will remind Dyche of his quality when given the chance.
A move to Villa on loan is a win-win for Ashley Barnes and for Villa. Barnes can start games and be given the chance to score goals while Villa will be gaining a hungry player eager to deliver.