Aston Villa fans react on Twitter to report club in advanced striker talks

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Published on:

02 Jan 2017, 2:51 am

By Harry Sykes

Rudy Gestede is reportedly on the verge of joining Middlesbrough after arriving for a medical - and Aston Villa fans took to Twitter to give mixed views on his impending exit.

The Mail claim that the striker, 28, has arrived on Teeside to undergo a medical and put the finishing touches to a £6million transfer from Villa.

It is said that Gestede was in advanced discussions over the terms of the deal with Boro chiefs on Sunday night and that the deal should be sealed in the coming days.

Villa manager Steve Bruce admitted on Thursday that his club were negotiating with a top flight club about a Gestede deal, although he did not name the club or confirm that a player exchange could take place.

It now appears inevitable that Gestede has played his last game for the Championship club, which came in Thursday's 1-1 draw against Leeds.

Villa fans were split about Gestede, with some claiming his height and aerial presence will be missed while others said he has failed to live up to expectations since joining from Blackburn in the summer of 2015.

Here is a selection of their messages on Twitter:

Won't miss Gestede at all, 9 goals in 50 apps (inc subs). Kodjia is on 9 goals in 19 apps. #avfc
— Claire (@FloppyChicken92) January 2, 2017

Bruce 100% must have his eyes on some1 (Forward) No way would Gestede be let go if no1 was coming in, Big Month For Us #Avfc #Gestede #boro
— MARTINSSS (@PaulyMartins123) January 1, 2017

Best of luck Rudy Gestede. Superb in the air, limited in other areas. He'd have scored more but we rarely played to that strength. #avfc
— Villa Views (@VillaViews_) January 1, 2017

Gutted that Gestede is leaving. Can't help but feel he would've thrived had we played his game like we did Benteke #AVFC
— Ben (@JustBenReally) January 1, 2017

Gestede has scored 10 goals and supplied four assists in 55 matches in all competitions for Villa, including four goals in 19 appearances this season after slipping behind Jonathan Kodjia in the striker pecking order.

He has been a fringe player at Villa Park since Bruce took the reins in October and has been principally used as an impact substitute or as cover for Kodjia.

In other Aston Villa transfer news, a Premier League club has joined the race to sign a Villa ace and a £10million striker could move to the Midlands giants in part-exchange.

Aston Villa

Middlesbrough

Rudy Gestede