AFCB Fan On What Grabban Would Bring To Villa Party

Looks like Aston Villa Are Grabbing Grabban.. Our latest poll asks your thoughts and we are discussing it (early days for the thread) in the forum thread

I thought hey, why not talk to the man about town, DJ from Vital Bournemouth … so I did!

1) So why is Grabban being loaned out. Is he not Premiership grade or do you just have too many strikers?

Bit of both really. He was re-signed during the January transfer window during our first season in the Premier League. We were short of strikers following the long-term injury to Callum Wilson.

We signed Benik Afobe who hadn’t played in the Premier League and would need time to adapt to a new team. Grabban, whilst also not having top flight experience, knew the players and the manager and could slot straight in. We knew exactly what we were getting and he was a stop-gap signing for a relatively reasonable fee.

Since then Wilson has returned to fitness, we’ve signed Jermain Defoe, Joshua King and Lys Mousset and Afobe has proved to be a solid signing.

2) It seemed to work out well for Sunderland goal ratio wise, but he decided not to stay there. Any idea why?

Not really, other than their position in the table?

3) Different reports say 12 goals in 18, 19 or 20 goals. Whichever, it`s decent in a poor team. Are you surprised no one has bought him?

When we recalled him from his loan at Sunderland, it would have been a fair assumption it was to sell him.

For example a loan led to a permanent deal for Glenn Murray when we loaned him out last season to Brighton.

Perhaps the move to Villa will have a similar clause in the summer (purely guessing).

4) What are his strengths and weaknesses?

His strengths have been his workrate, holding up the ball and running the channels due to his pace.

His weaknesses, particularly during his first stint in League One and the Championship, was that he needed a number of chances to hit the net. He isn’t overly clinical in front of goal, but will be on the end of numerous chances if you can create that he will inevitably get a goal.

5) Does he usually play as a lone striker or does he fit 442?

He’s versatile. He could play as an old school number 9 or number 10 in a 4-4-2 as a lone striker or even out wide due to his pace.