Aston Villa: Ross McCormack goes Down Under, joins Central Coast Mariners

Outcast Aston Villa forward Ross McCormack returns to Australia and the A-League.

Ross McCormack, without a shirt number at Aston Villa, has officially moved to Central Coast Mariners of the A-League on a season-long loan, marking his second consecutive stint Down Under.

The 32-year old scored a whopping 14 goals in 16 appearances for Melbourne City after a September loan move last season. McCormack joins Ritchie De Laet as another Villan playing in Australia.

With Central Coast Mariners, McCormack could possibly team-up with the fastest human in history, Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt. On the same day of Ross’ signing, The Mariners acquired Australia winger, and former EFL Championship winger Tommy Oar.

McCormack and Oar’s league season begins October 21st against the Brisbane Roar.

It was clear from the moment Ross McCormack was not given a shirt number this season that he would not again feature under Steve Bruce. The relationship was broken beyond repair after ‘Gate-gate’ two Autumns ago. It’s a shame the signing never worked out as McCormack’s attacking abilities were a quality missing in Aston Villa teams the last three years. His deal, now a sunk cost, runs one more year past this season, until June 2020. It’s reported that he is one of the highest earners at the club.

It was covered here, that the communication issues between manager and player have been all too common under Steve Bruce. Between many of his signings failing to claim a place and the number of frozen-out players, player relations, especially in the back-end of the roster, could be improved. I suppose, though, this isn’t any different from other clubs as well.

Good luck in Australia, Ross.

UTV.