Bookies make Villa favourites for four different strikers, and second favourites for two others
Aston Villa are rumoured to be in the market for a new striker for the upcoming Premier League season, and bookies make them favourites for several big names.
The club have spent plenty on attacking talent in the past year, but Dean Smith will surely want more firepower at his disposal having survived the drop so narrowly. Mbwana Samatta and Borja Baston were signed in January to provide cover after club-record signing Wesley picked up an injury, but neither hit the ground running.
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Ollie Watkins 4/6
The shortest price of this bunch, Brentford’s highly-rated hitman Ollie Watkins has been linked with Villa for several weeks now. Just named the EFL Championship Player of the Year, the 24-year-old lit up Brentford’s ultimately unsuccessful campaign with 26 goals in 49 appearances. Leeds have recently been cut to 4/1 second favourites with Fulham also linked, but Villa lead the race according to the bookies.
Divock Origi 3/1
Villa are also 3/1 favourites to sign Kop cult hero Divock Origi from the Premier League champions. The Belgian international has struggled to get regular first team football for the reds, although he’s secured his place in Anfield folklore with some iconic goals. The pre-season form of Rhian Brewster, who also impressed on loan at Swansea last season, could mean Origi ends up surplus to requirements at Liverpool.
Odsonne Edouard 4/1
Frenchman Odsonne Edouard is said to be a target for several clubs this summer, and Aston Villa find themselves joint-favourites alongside Arsenal at 4/1. The 22-year-old was left out of Celtic’s squad for their Champions League qualifier defeat to Ferencvaros last night. That omission has fuelled rumours already linking him with a possible move to the Premier League.
Tammy Abraham 4/1
The arrival of Timo Werner and potentially Kai Havertz has thrown the future of Chelsea’s current crop of attackers into doubt. Tammy Abraham was one of the heroes of Villa’s promotion campaign and he had already somewhat fallen out of favour at Chelsea at the back end of last season. A move the 22-year-old doesn’t exactly look likely, but his history with the club makes Villa front-runners should he want out.
Michy Batshuayi 4/1
Another Belgian international, Michy Batshuayi is almost certain to leave Chelsea this summer with so many new arrivals coming through the door. The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace, scoring five in 11 games for the Eagles. Leeds are currently the 7/2 favourites to sign him, but Villa are close behind in the market at 4/1.
Christian Benteke 5/1
This might not be the most welcome return, but Christian Benteke is 5/1 to make his way back to Villa Park. The Belgian was a hit with Villa when joining back in 2012, but his goalscoring prowess has diminished ever since. Now 29 and struggling at Palace, he would likely be a cheaper option than some of the other names linked.
