It always seemed like the plan for Aston Villa was to sign a new number nine this winter. After Donyell Malen joined Roma a few weeks ago, the only centre-forward at Unai Emery’s disposal was Ollie Watkins, who had something of a slow start to the season himself.
The Villans, who were linked with Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta, were put into an even bigger predicament when Watkins picked up an injury in the Europa League last Thursday. Their number nine missed their recent Premier League game, and it is unclear when he’ll be fit.
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins in action
Luckily for Villa, they re-signed former loanee Tammy Abraham, who will be looking to hit the ground running in his second spell at the club.
What Abraham will provide for Aston Villa
They say don’t fall in love with a loan player, but the Villa Park faithful can count themselves lucky that Abraham has returned. He was adored during his first stint at the club, helping to secure promotion back to the Premier League during 2018/19.
Aston Villa Tammy Abraham stats (timeless_
Indeed, the Chelsea academy graduate was on fire during that loan spell seven seasons ago. He was prolific in the second tier, scoring 25 goals in 37 regular season Championship games and one in three play-off games to help them return to the top flight.
This is a much more experienced Abraham than the one the Villa fans might be familiar with. He’s still dominant in the penalty box, as he was during 2018/19, and joins the club off the back of 13 goals for Besiktas in 26 games this term.
He’s a different striker to Watkins, too. Where the Villa number nine likes to run the channels and get in behind, Abraham is happy to drop off a little bit, holding the ball up and allowing runners off him.
Tammy Abraham
Villa would love their number 18 to do well from the off, but they may have signed another player who could be an upgrade in the future.
Aston Villa's in-house Abraham upgrade
When both Watkins and Abraham are fully fit, it is certainly not a bad pair of strikers to have at the disposal of Unai Emery. However, it’s always good to have an up-and-coming talent on the books as well.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks on before the match
17-year-old English striker Brian Madjo moved to Villa Park in the January transfer window from Ligue 1 club Metz, whose academy he came through. Born in Enfield, the England U17 international moves back to his native country to explore pastures new with Villa.
Impressively, Madjo has already made his professional debut. He featured five times in Ligue 1 this term for Metz, starting their opening two games of the season and becoming the club’s youngest-ever player in the process. He didn’t bag a goal, but did score two and assist one goal in two appearances for the B side.
Indeed, in the season opener against Strasburg, he showed some qualities which suggest he can have an impact at senior level. For example, Madjo won four duels and two fouls, making a nuisance of himself across the pitch.
Madjo key stats vs. Strasbourg
Stat
Touches
Aerial duel win rate
Duels won
Fouls won
Shots
Now at Villa, it will be exciting to see how the teenager’s development continues. It seems likely that he will start in the U21s, but there is every chance he could break into the first-team fold, given his experience at professional level already.
Described by football scout Antonio Mango as a “beast” of a striker, there is lots to get excited about regarding Madjo. He’s just 17, so he will have plenty of time to develop, and he has already gained valuable experience.
The addition of Abraham is a good one, but add a youngster like Madjo into the mix, and Villa could have some interesting selection dilemmas in the coming seasons.
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