Aston Villa now enter the race to sign “amazing” striker with 26 G/A last season
Aston Villa have now entered contention to sign a new striker, despite Nicolas Jackson making a strong start after joining from Chelsea in the summer.
Following Ollie Watkins’ departure, it was very important for Villa to bring in a worthy replacement, and Jackson has started to make a real impact, scoring in each of his last two Premier League matches.
Most recently, the Senegal international was on the scoresheet against Brentford at Villa Park, but Unai Emery‘s side were unable to take all three points, and drew 2-2 after Kristoffer Ajer cancelled out a second-half goal from John McGinn.
Emery was critical of his side’s inability to take their chances, saying after the match: “To draw at home is not a good result. Thinking on our result today, we are sad.
“We were expecting the match like they played, a tough match. We were expecting to try and dominate the ball more than we did. We had enough chances to score, we scored two goals even though we created more.”
Indeed, Villa probably should have prevailed based on the balance of play, as they had more shots on target and a higher xG, but their failure to grind out a win leaves them in 15th place, having taken just six points from their opening five matches.
|
Match statistics |
Aston Villa |
Brentford |
|
xG |
2.28 |
1.06 |
|
Total shots |
20 |
14 |
|
Shots on target |
7 |
4 |
|
Big chances |
3 |
3 |
|
Touches in opposition box |
37 |
32 |
Aston Villa join race to sign Esteban Lepaul
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are now interested in signing Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, and they held talks regarding a deal for the three-cap France international back in the summer.
Everton, Leeds United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford are also keen on signing the centre-forward, who has three goals to his name this season, and there is a feeling he could be on the move as early as January, despite signing a new contract with Rennes.
Ex-Rennes manager Habib Beye, who left the French club in February, is a big admirer of the 26-year-old, saying: “People say strikers are attracted to the ball, but if you look closely, Estéban is attracted to the space that allows him to finish in one touch with spontaneity. He has an amazing ability to read the flight of the ball and position himself in the best possible spot.”
Rennes went on to qualify for the Europa League, and the former Lyon man played a major role, picking up a combined 26 goals and assists in 32 Ligue 1 matches, which ensured he won the Golden Boot.
Of course, Villa signed Jackson in the summer, while Tammy Abraham and Brian Madjo are also available to Emery at centre-forward, but Lepaul has proven he is ready for a big move, and he could be an excellent signing.
