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Aston Villa’s circus of goalscorers are providing a wealth of value

By Josh Tonti

PRESTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Conor Hourihane of Aston Villam in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Aston Villa at Deepdale on November 1, 2017 in Preston, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
PRESTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Conor Hourihane of Aston Villam in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Aston Villa at Deepdale on November 1, 2017 in Preston, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) /
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 Aston Villa have enjoyed relying upon a wealth of goalscorers this season. In total, 18 different players have scored a goal in the EFL Championship.

Gone are the days of Aston Villa riding the coattails of Jonathan Kodjia’s incredible goal-scoring feats. In, is a lasting circus of strong scoring depth, compounded upon no reliance on one particular player.

To highlight the change made over one year, let’s consider that Villa have 18 different individual goalscorers this season. That’s up from 14 during the 2016/2017 campaign. But the amount of players who scored that year, and did not end up lasting the full season with the claret and blues is considerable:

Rudy Gestede (4), sold to Middlesbrough in January. 

Ross McCormack (3), loaned to Nottingham Forest in January.

Jordan Ayew (2), sold to Swansea City in January.

Aaron Tshibola (1), loaned to Nottingham Forest in January.

For comparison’s sake, all 18 Villa goalscorers this season are still with the club. For the vast majority, they’re all enjoying ample opportunities to impress Steve Bruce. The outliers being Henri Lansbury and Gabby Agbonlahor, but the former is at least making match-day squads.

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Albert Adomah tops the Villa scoring charts with 13 this season. Though he had been out for a month (since returned) with a soft-tissue injury, it’s refreshing to see the squad pick-up the slack in his absence. The former Ghana international last tallied on February 11th in the Second City Derby, but the likes of Robert Snodgrass (7 on the season), Scott Hogan (5), Conor Hourihane (9), and the recently-acquired Lewis Grabban (3) have all scored multiple times since that fixture.

Aston Villa are no longer reliant upon one man and his 19 goals, which is soothing considering Jonathan Kodjia is unavailable through a second consecutive ankle fracture.

Steve Bruce’s squad keep rebounding no matter the injury obstacle thrown in their path. Top goalscorer from last season plays 20% of the year? No worries. Lose your two best attacking threats in the same week during a critical run of fixtures? Key reserves like Keinan Davis and Glenn Whelan provide the respite.

Wolves on Saturday. UTV.

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