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Steve Bruce wants West Ham striker Jordan Hugill at Aston Villa

By Josh Tonti

HIGH WYCOMBE, ENGLAND - JULY 14: Jordan Hugill of West Ham battles for the ball with Anthony Stewart of Wycombe during the pre-season friendly match between Wycombe Wanderers and West Ham United at Adams Park on July 14, 2018 in High Wycombe, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
HIGH WYCOMBE, ENGLAND - JULY 14: Jordan Hugill of West Ham battles for the ball with Anthony Stewart of Wycombe during the pre-season friendly match between Wycombe Wanderers and West Ham United at Adams Park on July 14, 2018 in High Wycombe, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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26-year old striker Jordan Hugill made three appearances in London after a £10 million move from Preston North End. A return to the EFL Championship could reignite a scoring spark.

Jordan Hugill played 22 minutes of Premier League football in 2018 after a big-money move to West Ham United in January 2018.

Ouch is right.

The Irons are under new leadership with Manuel Pellegrini taking over on May 22nd. Hugill, as it’s noted, is not first or second-choice with the Chilean manager. Marko Arnautovic, Javier Hernandez, Andy Carroll, Andriy Yarmolenko and Toni Martinez lead a crowded forwards’ field at London Stadium.

As such, Steve Bruce wants to bring the seasoned EFL striker on loan, in a bid to earn the trust of new owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens. The Sun piece indicates Aston Villa need to beat out Leeds United and Queens Park Rangers should West Ham sanction Hugill’s departure.

Jordan Hugill lowdown

The 26-year old forward scored 10 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions before his £10 million move to West Ham United. The season prior, Hugill scored 13 in 47 matches and 5 in 32 in 2015/2016.

At 6’0″, Hugill is a mobile channels-mover in the mold of Scott Hogan. He’s not particularly strong at holding onto the ball, but he’s good in the air despite not possessing gargantuan size (again, like Hogan). With that said, another striker is paramount if other situations don’t break Villa’s way. Keinan Davis and the aforementioned Hogan have been dealing with groin injuries that have seen the pair miss the entire pre-season.

Again, little communication from the club so we have to assume the worst. Moreover, there were rumors Davis was to be sent on-loan to a League One club before the summer window closed. Maybe it happens, maybe it doesn’t.

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, too, is dealing with an injury. He’ll either bounce around between the first team and under-23s, or he’ll be sent on-loan, perhaps for half the season. The club’s current reserve options in attack is rather dearth at the moment. 19-year old Harvey Knibbs, Henri Lansbury in midfield and Ahmed Elmohamady on the wing remain Villa’s only bench attackers.

Next. Bruce Needs To Trust Tommy Elphick. dark

Hugill’s goal return is rather suspect in the EFL Championship, but he could help Aston Villa overcome some of its shortcomings.

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