The Villa Park misfits - Rudy Gestede

[Gareth]

Emile Heskey was worse. He was such a running joke it was embarrassing.

Heskey was an excellent player, not what we needed in that transfer window but he was a proper player

[Allan C]

I started going in 1969 and although I didn’t quite understand the game at the age of 8 I have to say that Gestede was the worst player I ever saw in a Villa shirt. Truly awful

[RamboandBruno]

Emile Heskey was worse. He was such a running joke it was embarrassing.

This is just incorrect

[SoccerHQ]

Loved that debut goal v Bournemouth, honestly thought we had a gem on our hands. Think really that was worst thing that could happen as think everyone bar Sherwood (who was still pushing to sign Adebayor) thought he could just replace Benteke no problem.

I went to the Sunderland home game a few weeks later and realised he couldn't as his hold up and link up play was really poor.

He still chipped in with a few goals in 15/16 (two at Anfield wasn't it?) but probably Amavi's injury meant we had zero creativity from out wide so he became a non factor.

More surprising he wasn't more effective at championship level tbh, can't remember if he played much under Bruce or who we even sold him to.

[SoccerHQ]

Not worse than Jordan Bowery, surely?

They were very different types of purchases (cheap lower league punt vs more expensive 'established' second tier player), but purchase price aside, I wouldn't go with worst ever.

Different expectations. Bowery was just a random punt (and we signed Benteke same summer).

Gestede was laughably hailed as Benteke's replacement after his debut goal.