Aston Villa: On why Scott Hogan may be allowed to leave via loan

Transfer rumors out of England suggest Aston Villa striker Scott Hogan will be allowed to leave on loan. On the surface, it’s a questionable decision, but here’s why it makes sense.

Scott Hogan can barely get a game under Dean Smith.

And it’s perfectly understandable as to why. Tammy Abraham is in a class all by himself at the centre-forward position. He’s been fit, healthy, and firing all season long, meaning rotation is limited to the cup level. Of which, there weren’t many of this season. Three, to be exact.

Just behind Abraham is the talented Jonathan Kodjia, a former 20-goal striker at the Championship level. And behind them sits Hogan, 20-year-old Keinan Davis, and 20-year-old Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (before he left for Cambridge on loan). This lack of match time is difficult for a player. Even more so for a player that arrived at Villa for close to £10 million two seasons ago.

Currently 4th-choice striker, in a system that only allows for one, results in few opportunities – almost exclusively seldom bench appearances. As such, manager Dean Smith is prepared to let Hogan leave on loan as an audition for interested parties in the summer.

Hogan’s injury woes are long and troublesome. Two cruciate ligament tears at Brentford, and two serious ankle injuries at Villa. That’s enough to scare any team away as Villa look to recoup some sort of amount close to what they paid two years ago. Moreover, there would be wage concerns, given the amount of time Hogan has spent on the sidelines.

With Bristol City and Sheffield United looking for a boost in the attack, Hogan could regain the form that made him a menace at Brentford, and eventual international attacker for Ireland. Villa would save money in the process, but they would be strengthening a promotion rival as well.