Calamitous January signing needs to be axed: Three things we learned about Aston Villa from loss v Forest
By Amir Mir
Football Insider analyses the three talking points after Aston Villa lose 2-1 to Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.
Johnstone is a calamitous January signing
Sam Johnstone was the first player signed by Steve Bruce in January, with summer signing Pierluigi Gollini sold to Atlanta in the same month after being purchased by his predecessor Roberto Di Matteo. Both have made mistakes since arriving and backup Mark Bunn is no different. Now, Villa’s January addition is becoming a calamitous buy after he once against cost Villa points. After a very good first half performance, Johnstone decided to gift the opposition with the goal, who then went on to win the game. Bruce needs to axe the youngster and in truth, he has made a huge mistake in not bringing in any experience between the sticks during the January window.
Jedinak has been a huge miss
Defensive midfielder Mile Jedinak has missed his side’s last three Championship games and his side have gone on to concede seven goals during those matches. The January signings by manager Steve Bruce were of top quality, but in order to keep that clean sheet, they need the combative Australian beside them to complement their forward-thinking style of play. The defeat at Forest showed that Villa need someone like Jedinak to break up play and allow the likes of Lansbury and Hourihane flourish.
Kodjia and Hogan partnership needs time
The attacking duo showed the Villa faithful a glimmer of what they can do in the forthcoming games. Kodjia has a great ability to glide past players, while Hogan’s movement off the ball is excellent. There were times when Kodjia should have passed to his fellow striker, but there were signs there that their partnership will build if the duo are given time. Hogan failed to get on the scoresheet but if he can continue to make those runs into the box then it won’t be too long before he scores his first goal for the club.
In other Aston Villa news, supporters are over the moon after they clinch this striker deal.
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