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Could Aston Villa hit the January sales as Wesley struggles continue?
Aston Villa striker Wesley continued his barren run in front of goal at the weekend as Dean Smith’s team lost 4-1 to Leicester City.
The marksman signed from Club Brugge during the summer, costing Villa £22 million
Wesley scored four goals during his first eight matches for his new club but the last of those came in October.
It’s almost two months since the 23-year-old found the back of the net and that represents an obvious cause for concern.
The uncompromising target man won five aerials against the Foxes but mustered just one shot on goal during the 90 minutes
A look at Villa’s bench on Sunday doesn’t highlight a great deal of competition for the Brazilian.
Keinan Davis is injured, whilst Jonathan Kodjia who was among the substitutes at the weekend isn’t really proven in the top-flight.
The lack of options in itself represents a problem for a Premier League outfit.
Given Wesley’s alarming run of form, Villa boss Smith must surely be tempted into a January foray into the transfer market.
Villa have actually scored more goals than any other team in the bottom half of the division. Five of their 23 did come in one game at Norwich which shows they are capable on their day.
As things stand the Villans are only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
If Villa had Wesley firing on all cylinders they might have picked up a few more points and they might not have chalked up nine losses from 16 matches.
Adapting
Wesley hasn’t played that bad considering it’s his first season in English football.
His goal ratio is the genuine cause for concern and he will hope to pick up his form between now and the window reopening.
It had seemed that the former Brugge man had quickly found the way to goal in English football but his purple patch didn’t last long.
Losing their Premier League status during their maiden campaign back among the country’s elite would be disastrous for Villa.
If Wesley doesn’t find the way to goal soon, surely Smith will look to strengthen his striking department during the transfer window.