Why Charlie Austin would be a good signing for Aston Villa in January
According to the Birmingham Mail, Southampton forward Charlie Austin is prepared to leave the club in search for regular minutes, with Wolves and Aston Villa expressing an interest in the 29-year-old.
The report claims that Turkish giants Galatasaray are also weighing up a move for the hugely experienced striker.
Austin has struggled for form in the Premier League this season and his involvement has been limited to eight starts so far. The arrival of new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl on the south coast had seen him slip further down the pecking order, with the former Burnley and QPR man starting only twice since the Austrian’s arrival.
The 29-year-old has scored twice from 16 appearances in the Premier League this term and it is unlikely that Hasenhuttl will have him in his plans for a starting role in the second half of the season. Suffice to say, Southampton are well-stocked in the attack and a move away from St.Mary’s would help him resurrect his career.
To put things into perspective, he would be an ideal signing for the aforementioned clubs but Aston Villa can bag a massive coup in their pursuit of promotion if they sign the 29-year-old striker on loan.
Tammy Abraham has spearheaded Villa’s attack this season in the Championship, scoring 17 goals from 22 appearances. The Lions have struggled to hit the ground running and Dean Smith’s side currently sit 13th in the standings, seven points shy of Derby County for the final promotion playoff spot.
While the defence has been the major area of concern at Villa Park this season, the Lions should not hesitate to add another quality striker to their squad. Austin has scored a whopping 148 goals from 315 appearances for Burnley, QPR, Southampton and Swindon Town over the course of his distinguished career in English football.
The figures clearly show that he is a proven goalscorer at the Premier League and Championship levels, something that should be a lucrative proposition for any promotion-chasing side.
Furthermore, an experienced campaigner and a poacher like Charlie Austin will make Villa a much more formidable force from set-pieces. Known for his aerial ability and strength, Austin is more of an old-school forward who relies on his awareness and instincts to find the net.
Having already sent Yannick Bolasie back to his parent club Everton, Villa can sign other players on loan and a proven customer like Austin is certainly a good choice. That said, they should not let this opportunity go and should take the first initiative in this transfer saga.