Is Robert Snodgrass destined to stay at Aston Villa past the season?

With the Aston Villa squad seemingly fully equipped and large enough for a 46 game Championship campaign back in August, it was a surprise to many when Robert Snodgrass joined from West Ham on a season-long loan.

Frozen out at West Ham, Robert Snodgrass bemoaned the fact he was playing in the wrong position when he did play games for the Hammers. Playing on the left-wing as opposed to the right, or just off the striker, irked the Scotland international.

Despite his lack of games and with his confidence clearly shaken, it was still seen as a bit of a coup for Aston Villa. A Championship club being able to acquire the services of a player from the division above on-loan.

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Steve Bruce was presented with a problem of just who to play out wide. He had an array of options to choose from: Albert Adomah, Andre Green, Birkir Bjarnason, Ahmed Elmohamady and Robert Snodgrass.

After a couple of substitute appearances, Snodgrass started in his preferred right wing slot. An injury to André Green meant Albert Adomah filled in on the opposite side.

The rest has been history. The two aforementioned players have mainly stayed in the side since, and though he is being outshone by the scoring exploits of King Albert, Snodgrass has performed well most weeks.

He is frustrating to watch sometimes, often refusing to cross with his right foot, subsequently breaking down attacks. Direct free-kicks have been underwhelming, too. Especially when considering his reputation as an expert at finding the net from these situations.

A big positive to having a player like Snodgrass is that he always gives 100% and never hides from the game. Whether it’s putting in a crunching tackle to slow down opposition attacks or tracking back to help the right back. He is as diligent in defense as he is in attack.

He can change games in this division with his delivery and eye for a pass, evidenced by him topping Villa’s assist charts with six.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Bryan Oviedo of Sunderland holds off Robert Snodgrass of Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Sunderland at Villa Park on November 21, 2017 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) /

The conversation of signing Snodgrass on a permanent contract is one which the club won’t have until the summer. He is the only one of Villa’s loan trio to not have a loan recall option. Villa have him through the season and don’t want him to focus on anything else but promotion for now.

A potential deal is worth exploring, though. Snodgrass is either an excellent player in this division or a solid bench option/occasional starter in the Premier League. Any potential deal will hinge on Villa matching West Ham’s unknown valuation of the player. The Hammers paid £10.2 million last January to Hull City for the player’s services.

The concern with Snodgrass in England’s top flight is his lack of pace would be more ineffectual. Moreover, he will spend next season at age 31, likely the beginning of decline not long after.

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