Aston Villa: Former players join rivals as summer transfer window heats up
By Josh Tonti
Five weeks from kickoff. We’re approaching a third season in England’s second division and Aston Villa Football Club has been noticeably quiet.
Aston Villa, scarred with ownership and financial woes, has yet to secure a summer signing this transfer window. As the claret and blue wait, rivals in the EFL Championship begin to make their moves.
Andreas Weimann is a possibility at Bristol City following the departure of star forward Bobby Reid to Cardiff City. The Austrian, who netted 24 times in 129 Aston Villa appearances, could make way to Ashton Gate as new Derby County manager Frank Lampard makes wage cuts. Weimann enjoyed a bounce back season with the Rams, playing in 32 matches across all competitions last year.
Not to be outdone as a fellow goalscorer, Lewis Grabban too, is attracting attention.
An ambitious Nottingham Forest side is interested in acquiring Grabban from his parent club, AFC Bournemouth. The 30-year old scored 20 Championship goals last season with Sunderland and Aston Villa. Admittedly, it’s suffice to say Villa have no chance of acquiring Grabban’s services with so many striker currently under contract. As it stands to centre-forward depth chart stands at: Jonathan Kodjia, Scott Hogan, Keinan Davis, and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy.
Last Seasons’s Loan Quartet:
Newly-relegated West Bromwich Albion are chasing Sam Johnstone. Manchester United want £5 million for the goalkeeper. Given his combination of age and performance, however, I still find it likely Johnstone winds-up in the Premier League in some capacity. A handful of top flight sides faced downright atrocious goalkeeping situations in 2017/2018.
Robert Snodgrass is a target for Cardiff City, but he might stick around and fight for a starting spot at West Ham. Meanwhile, rumors of Josh Onomah returning to Villa have matriculated – in part as a swap deal involving Jack Grealish.