Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images

News

HomeNewsAston VillaEnglish Premier League

Darren Bent questions Dean Smith’s decision to bench Jonathan Kodjia

Tom Procter

Mon 23 December 2019 12:15, UK

Former Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has questioned Dean Smith’s decision to leave Jonathan Kodjia on the bench against Southampton.

There had been strong calls for the manager to turn to the 30-year-old after he scored a brace against Liverpool’s youngsters in the Carabao Cup.

But Smith resisted temptation and handed another start to Wesley, who also scored against the Reds.

The South American was largely ineffective once again for Villa, and Smith sent Kodjia on in place of Conor Hourihane to provide him with some support.

In the eyes of Bent, Kodjia should have been on from the beginning.

: “Why he didn’t play [from the start] today I don’t understand. Wesley’s struggled of late – he got a goal the other night – but still doesn’t look up to it.

“For me, right now, Aston Villa need to get another centre-forward in because right now, it’s free fall and it’s looking really worrying for Dean Smith.”

TBR’s view – Villa must spend

Villa’s lack of a goalscorer is a big concern at the moment.

Unfortunately Wesley looks like he will need a full season under his belt before he shows his true ability.

And although he probably warrants starting Premier League games now, there are question marks about whether Kodjia has the quality the become a regular goal-getter in the English top-flight.

Surely Smith has to think about possibly dipping into the transfer market.