18-year old Liverpool and Wales forward Ben Woodburn could be Aston Villa’s second summer arrival in a few short days.
Steve Bruce could have another attacking option to add to his beleaguered, injury-prone strike force. Multiple reports indicate Aston Villa are the favorites to land Liverpool’s Ben Woodburn on loan.
Aston Villa favourites to sign Ben Woodburn on a season-long loan deal. Sheffield United keen, Wigan unlikely. Could get done this week. #LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) July 29, 2018
Woodburn, 19 in October, is one of the more famous teenage footballers in the world, in part due to his international exposure with Wales. You might remember this goal in World Cup Qualifying against Austria:
Woodburn hasn’t found too many first-team opportunities under Jürgen Klopp, making just 11 appearances in all competitions the last two seasons. Despite this, the club obviously rates the teenager, as Woodburn recently signed a new Liverpool deal – contracting him to the Reds until June 2022. In all, Woodburn has 18 professional matches under his belt with a total of two goals (7 caps for Wales, 11 Liverpool appearances). He’s ready for more match experience and Steve Bruce & Aston Villa might have the need and ability to accommodate the player’s and club’s wishes.
Primarily a left-winger, Woodburn possesses the ability to play anywhere along a front three. With just André Green and Albert Adomah (Elmohamady, Bjarnason, Grealish, RHM in reserve), Aston Villa have a definitive need for at least one more wide player. Woodburn’s seamless ability to transition as a No. 9 is an added benefit as well. The current striker corps is rather injury-prone with 3/4 likely to be unfit for the opening league match at Hull.
Scott Hogan and Keinan Davis have not trained once this pre-season with lingering groin injuries and no recovery in sight (nor updates from Aston Villa officially). Rushian Hepburn-Murphy turned his ankle a few weeks ago and is still some time away before reaching match fitness.
That leaves Jonathan Kodjia as the sole remaining striker, a player who missed 2/3 of last season with a pair of ankle injuries.
Given the number of reports from several different outlets, there is a good possibility Woodburn is a Villan by August 6th.