Scott Hogan was given five minutes to impress from the bench in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Stoke City and unsurprisingly made only one touch before the game came to a close. The 26-year-old has struggled for form and playing time under both Steve Bruce and Dean Smith this season and may need to move away from Villa Park to get his career back on track.
Hogan finds himself behind Tammy Abraham (16 games, 12 goals, 1 assist) and Jonathan Kodjia (22 games, 6 goals, 1 assist) in the striker pecking order, with Smith handing him only 61 minutes of Championship football in the last two months, and his substitute appearances give him little time to make an impact.
Hogan has registered only two shots in his five outings this campaign. The Irish international desperately needs regular action at another club, so the January transfer window couldn’t come any sooner for him.
Villa may not want to sell Hogan without having a replacement lined up, but a short-term loan move may suit all parties. If Hogan goes away and finds his form, he could be an asset for Smith next summer.
A successful loan move may see Hogan put himself in the shop window for other suitors too, meaning Villa could cash in on his signature next summer if they see fit.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Aston Villa signing could leave in January without playing a single game – opinion
