OPINION
Aston Villa used five senior strikers during the recently concluded Championship campaign but in truth only one player delivered.
Jonathan Kodjia scored 19 league goals for his side, outperforming the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor, Scott Hogan, Ross McCormack and Libor Kozak.
Steve Bruce will be under huge pressure to earn promotion next season and rather than dip into the market for another big-money forward, he should look towards the academy.
Teenage sensation Rushian Hepburn-Murphy featured only a handful of times for the club this term, but it is now time the highly-rated attacker is given a chance to perform for the senior side.
There is no doubt that Kodjia and Hogan will be Bruce’s two front line forwards next season, but the senior duo should be followed up by Hepburn-Murphy rather than the likes of Agbonlahor or McCormack.
Bruce should use the 18-year-old as a secret weapon next season as he bids to earn promotion with a Villa team that is being hotly tipped to finish in the top six, at the very least.
Considering the huge pressures Bruce will be under, it won’t be a surprise if he doesn’t give the academy product a chance in the first-team.
But, one thing is for sure, if given the chance, the Holte End will get behind the youngster which will allow him to shine and deliver a lot more than the likes of Agbonlahor and McCormack, who have lost the trust of the Villa faithful.