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Aston Villa forward Scott Hogan has launched a scathing attack on former manager Steve Bruce and confirmed summer interest in his services, as quoted by The Birmingham Mail.
What’s the word?
Entering the international break on a woeful run of just one win in their last 11 matches across all competitions, Aston Villa made a change by axing Bruce and replacing him with former Brentford boss Dean Smith.
The move will now give fringe players in the squad a chance at a revival and striker Hogan is hoping for that opportunity, after becoming frustrated following false promises made by Bruce on the back of interest in his services in the summer.
Quoted by The Birmingham Mail, Hogan confirmed Sheffield United were keen on his signature but Bruce persuaded him to stay at Villa Park by saying he still had a part to play – but he is yet to feature for the club this season.
What was said?
“The most difficult thing in football is not playing when you’re fit. The second most difficult is playing in a system where there is just no way on this earth it’s suited to you, you are hung out to dry a little bit.
“I knocked on his door a couple of days before the window shut just to find out what was going on. Sheff United were very interested.
“I wasn’t allowed to leave. He was adamant that he didn’t want me to go, he said I had a future playing as a striker and I was assured we were going to change the way we were playing. So it was disappointing for me two days later when he signed a striker and nothing changed at all.”
What next?
While Bruce’s departure hands 26-year-old Hogan a chance to force his way back into the side, he will have to hit the ground running in order to dislodge Jonathan Kodjia or Tammy Abraham from the first-team line-up.
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Villa are already being linked with further attacking additions ahead of the January window but Hogan could change that stance if he manages to rekindle the sort of form he showed at Brentford under the guidance of Smith.
A return of 20 goals for Villa is the fourth-highest in the Championship this season, behind only the top-three, and Hogan would provide a further boost if Smith can bring his old shooting boots with him from Brentford, where the forward scored 21 goals in 33 Championship appearances.
