The why aren't we signing a new striker thread....

[Mister E]

Before the head tapping starts, the amount of abuse CB is getting at Liverpool has to be heard to be believed.  Makes our comments about Gestede sound like mild tut tutting.  His agent concocted the Liverpool deal that has blown up in his and his client's face.   He has to showcase CB very quickly if his career is to be saved.  Four months with us would give him his heroic status back instantly and a platform to move back to Europe with some reputation left.

Add to that Klopp is sufficiently volatile to bomb squad the best centre forward I have ever seen in a Villa shirt.

I'd dispute the comment about being the best Villa CF: in my opinion, Andy Gray's first stint with us was incomparable.
Whether he would return to us: I'd imagine his agent trying to find a Chumps League club to join, with perm or on loan. He's certainly wasting his time at Liverpool currently.

[Stirchley Villain]

Before the head tapping starts, the amount of abuse CB is getting at Liverpool has to be heard to be believed.  Makes our comments about Gestede sound like mild tut tutting.  His agent concocted the Liverpool deal that has blown up in his and his client's face.   He has to showcase CB very quickly if his career is to be saved.  Four months with us would give him his heroic status back instantly and a platform to move back to Europe with some reputation left.

Add to that Klopp is sufficiently volatile to bomb squad the best centre forward I have ever seen in a Villa shirt.

I'd dispute the comment about being the best Villa CF: in my opinion, Andy Gray's first stint with us was incomparable.
Whether he would return to us: I'd imagine his agent trying to find a Chumps League club to join, with perm or on loan. He's certainly wasting his time at Liverpool currently.

To be fair both Lambert and Sherwood warned him about going to Liverpool. It is an expensive striker's graveyard, and Benteke as never going to fit in with the style of play expected up there. Shame... I think he'd have done much better going to Chelsea. He'll never come back to us though. Someone like West Ham might take him off their hands.. as much as it pains me to say.

[A Northern Soul]

It is easy for us all to see with our claret & blue eyes why it would be a no brainer for CB to come home for (at least) the rest of the season - guaranteed adulation, certain starter, chance to turn our season around (albeit probably a month too late), but remember he angled for a move after the first season - Klopp has said recently he met him at an airport that summer to talk over a move to Dortmund and he wasn't prepared to stay or even listen to those who knew better this summer just gone. Sadly whilst I think he enjoyed his time at Villa he won't be looking back with wistful regret despite what has happened since. That said, if we were a forward thinking club we would at least sound him out (maybe we have, but then again...)

[Goldie.7]

Dwight Gayle is a shout but apparently he is being swapped for Gomis at Swansea.

Good player, pacey, knows where the goal is, not bad in the air,  *MAKES RUNS!!!!!* hense the last one! makes runs!

Crouch and him would be okay! I know it seems a long long way from the times of  JPA, Carew or  Benteke but thats the unfortunate state of our club at the moment.

Seems like Gomis is off somewhere, not in Swansea's 18 yesterday. Rumours of Newcastle being interested too.

I'd like Gayle here. Pacey, mobile forward who I'd integrate now as I think he'd score a few goals between now and May and would do well next season in the Championship.

No thanks on Crouch though, he's 35.

Gomis was not in the squad due to his partner giving birth.

I'd like Gayle too though, he actually has a footballing brain unlike Sinclair and Gabby.

[PaulWinch again]

Someone will get an absolute bargain when Liverpool sell Benteke.

[brian green]

You are so right PWA.  The art of victory is to capitalise on the mistakes of your enemies.

[A Northern Soul]

Someone will get an absolute bargain when Liverpool sell Benteke.

And when they do the Liverpool fans will decry him as not being good enough to play the 'Liverpool way' whatever the fuck that is these days

[peter w]

I'm not sure Benteke and Ayew are a good fit as the big man does his best work as the sole forward. I'd like to find out though.

[curiousorange]

It will be incredibly annoying when Benteke eventually winds up at a Stoke or Newcastle, having gone via various top six benches when everybody knows his real home is Villa Park.

[Ron Manager]

Before the head tapping starts, the amount of abuse CB is getting at Liverpool has to be heard to be believed.  Makes our comments about Gestede sound like mild tut tutting.  His agent concocted the Liverpool deal that has blown up in his and his client's face.   He has to showcase CB very quickly if his career is to be saved.  Four months with us would give him his heroic status back instantly and a platform to move back to Europe with some reputation left.

Add to that Klopp is sufficiently volatile to bomb squad the best centre forward I have ever seen in a Villa shirt.

I'd dispute the comment about being the best Villa CF: in my opinion, Andy Gray's first stint with us was incomparable.
Whether he would return to us: I'd imagine his agent trying to find a Chumps League club to join, with perm or on loan. He's certainly wasting his time at Liverpool currently.

Better than Gerry Hitchens? Better than Andy Gray first stint?  Benteke doesn't even come close to those two. However there is no doubt he is a tremendous centre forward who has picked the wrong club to showcase his skills. Arsenal is where he should have gone. I think Christian's Cup Final non performance must have put Wenger off. Unfortunately he is not going to come back.

[Dante Lavelli]

This guy is currently 22 and almost certainly available, if not to buy, definitely on loan.  Last year he was Championship Player of the Year so arguably 'future proof':

2012–2013   → Milton Keynes Dons (loan)   37   (18)
2014   → Derby County (loan)   21   (
2014–2015   → Middlesbrough (loan)   39   (17)

I'd prefer we buy a player like this than Crouch who will demand more money and have zero value in less than a year.

[cdbearsfan]

Crouch on loan would  an excellent addition. On a lengthy deal, it would be a daft move.

I doubt they'd let him go anyway. With the exception of Villa, most clubs like to have some strength in depth.

[aj2k77]

I'd agree on Bamford, Gayle or this dutch Santos guy. They'd all add options at a good value for money. There's really no excuse for continuing with Kozak and Gestede as the only options.

[cdbearsfan]

Santos sounds too good to be true. Has scored a ridiculous number of goals and plays at the NEC so wouldn't even need to move house.

[eamonn]

Can't believe the ol' number eight in brackets becoming a sunglassed-smilry has survived the tumult of the emojyisation of t'internet in the past few years. Far more staying power than Micah Richards anyway.