Aston Villa: A reunion with Robert Snodgrass might be possible
By Josh Tonti
Steve Bruce is absolutely keen to land Scotland ace Robert Snodgrass on loan once more. ‘Snoddy’ scored 7 league goals and assisted a further 14 in league play last term.
While a reunion is unlikely at this moment, Steve Bruce is waiting to hear back from West Ham United about their plans for attacking midfielder Robert Snodgrass. A £10.2 million signing from Hull City in January 2017, ‘Snoddy’ has struggled to replicate his en fuego Fall 2016 Premier League form in London. Moreover, he struggled to win over former managers Slaven Bilic and David Moyes, with current manager Manuel Pellegrini still assessing his options.
It remains to be seen if Aston Villa can afford a veteran Premier League player’s wages and comply with FFP (other variables like outgoings etc., still apply). We also can’t be certain West Ham don’t plan to utilize Snodgrass regularly, either.
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But that won’t stop Bruce and NSWE from trying, however remote the possibility. With the new ownership primarily handling finals say in player transfers, this would be a huge vote of confidence to approve a player Bruce so keenly trusts.
But how will he fit in the Aston Villa squad?
Quite well, if last season was any indication. The same team largely returns minus a few absences. Snodgrass turns 31 in September and would provide a nice wing triad alongside André Green and Albert Adomah. Green should get his opportunity on the left after missing so much development time due to injuries the last two seasons, but there is a lot for Bruce to play with.
All three wingers can seamlessly play on either side, creating opportunities to mix-and-match depending on opponent.
The slog of a 46-game season complete with cup matches assures that Villa need at least three true wide players, more likely four. The current squad has options who either aren’t exactly game-changers or are preferred in other positions: Birkir Bjarnason, Ahmed Elmohamady, etc. We’ll see what happens from now until window close in August.
Away to Hull in 8 days. UTV.