Ideal? – Here’s Why Robert Snodgrass Would Be Perfect For Aston Villa
Following reports of interest from Middlesbrough and confirmed interest from Simon Grayson at Sunderland, Aston Villa are now the latest Championship club looking to sign West Ham’s Robert Snodgrass on loan.
The left-footer, 30 next month, has been told he can leave the London Stadium this month despite his big money move there as recently as January, having previously starred for Hull City.
Villa manager Steve Bruce actually signed Snodgrass once before while Bruce was at Hull City and indeed attempted to bring him to Villa Park, missing out to the Hammers on that occasion. After not settling at all at the East London club however, the former Leeds man is on the move again and could well be rekindling his working relationship with Bruce.
The Villa Park club have not started well once again and have been hit with injuries to Jack Grealish and Jonathan Kodjia already, meaning reinforcements are needed. Injuries remain the concern with Gabby Agbonlahor, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Scott Hogan. So as long as this situation is not seen to, Villa could already kiss promotion goodbye.
Over at rivals Birmingham City, Harry Redknapp has beaten Villa to the signature of the excellent Sam Gallagher from Southampton and they are even in danger of falling foul of Financial Fair Play Regulations.
It amazes me how quickly footballer’s fortunes can change. When Robert Snodgrass moved from Hull City to West Ham in January he did so having scored 7 of Hull’s goals in 20 appearances, with his departure being a major reason why they did not survive.
He was all the rage then for club and country and had the look of a £20million man. He did not find the net in 15 league appearances in East London however, and has not made an appearance as yet this season for the Hammers.
It is quiet a sharp fall for a player with genuine talent and who at 29 years of age, should in theory be right at his best just now. He needs confidence and some familiar surroundings and his time with Bruce at Hull meaning he should settle in at Villa, no problem.
So far, Snodgrass has well over 60 goals in professional football from midfield positions and at this stage of his career, that prowess will not simply disappear. The Scotland international would make a terrific signing for someone in this division and given the struggles that are to come – for Villa most of all.