From one Claret team to another – will Nahki Wells join Aston Villa?
By Angus Boyle
Another striker has been linked with Aston Villa as Steve Bruce looks for an option up front due to injuries and Financial Fair Play restrictions. Burnley striker Nahki Wells has been rumoured to be on Bruce’s radar, joining a host of strikers linked with Villa.
Just 29 goals have been scored by Villa so far this season. If they are serious about getting promoted, they need to get a striker with plenty of confidence and experience in the Championship. Due to the current FFP restrictions, getting a striker on loan seems the best option.
Villa are currently without strikers Kodjia, McCormack, and Agbonlahor who are injured or working their way back to fitness.
Wells has been at Burnley this Premier League season, after joining from promoted Huddersfield Town in the summer for £5m. The striker has fallen down the pecking order at the Clarets and has faced his own injury issues.
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However, the positive about Wells is his previous experience in the Championship and knowing what it’s like playing in a team which achieved promotion.
During the 2016/17 season with Huddersfield, Wells played in 46 matches across the Championship season and playoffs. Over that period, he recorded 10 goals and two assists.
If Villa want to get promoted, then Wells will have to replicate that form. Having Wells, who can bring positivity and experience about getting promoted from the Championship, alongside experienced players in Jedinak, Whelan and Terry could be invaluable for Villa.
Wells’ pace could also be a big benefit to Villa. Combined with his speed and his ability to take on defenders by backing himself to beat them, Wells could be the kind of player Villa have been missing.
He will also be a more suitable option for the team with Bruce’s more defensive style, as Wells can break on the counter and look to score that way. This system suits the team more than a player like Hogan who is a poacher and scores from inside the box.
From the strikers linked with Villa so far, Wells seems like one of the better options. If Wells does join then lets hope he plays a big role in taking the team back up to where Villa belongs.