Three reasons why Aston Villa should re-sign playmaker, four months left on contract
COMMENT By Will Butcher
Aston Villa would bolster their chances of returning to the Premier League next season if they re-signed attacking midfielder Stephen Ireland.
The 30-year-old left Villa back in the summer of 2014, but has failed to feature for current club Stoke City this season because of a training ground incident that saw Ireland break his leg.
With Ireland plummeting down the midfield pecking order, here are three reasons why Steve Bruce’s side should swoop for the six-time Ireland international who is out of contract in the summer:
Contract situation
The former Manchester City star has less than six months remaining on his current deal and will be available on a free transfer in the summer. Stoke’s number seven is unable to prove to manager Mark Hughes why he is deserving of an extended stay at the Britannia Stadium because of his long-term injury. With Villa spending huge amounts of money this season to reshape their side, bringing in a bargain in playmaker Ireland could prove a shrewd move by the Midlands giants, as they look for inspiration in an attempt to return to the Premier League at the second time of asking.
Villa lack creativity
The strikers at Villa are not the problem. Jonathan Kodjia has scored 11 goals for his new side after moving from Bristol City, despite being given very little to work with in the final third. Similarly, Scott Hogan has hardly been given a sniff since pulling on the claret and blue of Villa’s strip, largely because Bruce’s side do not have the players to create the chances in the final third. With Bruce known to favour a 4-2-3-1 system during his time at Villa Park, a playmaker in the middle of the attacking three is key. Looking at Bruce’s squad, only Jack Grealish can play in that position to the standard required. However, Grealish’s inconsistent form means that Bruce must act by bringing a player who knows how to open a defence – with Ireland possessing just that quality.
Something to prove
Not held in the highest regard by Villa fans, Ireland may return to his brilliant best with the relegated Premier League side as he looks to prove to his former club that he has what it takes to make a difference under Bruce. Making 58 appearances in his previous spell with the club, Ireland showed glimpses of class with seven assists but managed just one solitary strike against Chelsea in December 2011. With that in mind, Ireland could look to warm the hearts of the Villa faithful after failing to do so last time round, and definitely has the quality to light up the Championship.
In other Aston Villa transfer news, fans have reacted to Christopher Samba training with the club.
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