Danny Wright

Tue 23 August 2022 22:33, UK

Steven Gerrard still wants to add to his squad before the summer transfer window closes in order to make Aston Villa “more unpredictable”, according to Kaveh Solhekol.

Villa have already strengthened this summer with Philippe Coutinho’s loan being made permanent, the permanent signings of Diego Carlos, Robin Olsen and Boubacar Kamara and a loan move for Ludwig Augustinsson.

However, Carlos is set to miss six months of action [Sky Sports], sparking a hunt for a new centre-back while Gerrard is also reported to want a new centre-forward.

“Steven Gerrard is still looking for another centre-back and a forward to make his side more unpredictable,” said Solhekol on Sky Sports News on Tuesday night, as shown on Sky Sports’ Transfer Centre (23 August, 07:27pm).

Another striker?

Aston Villa already have Ollie Watkins, Danny Ings and Cameron Archer who can play in the centre-forward roles and usually, three strikers is enough for most clubs.

Gerrard switches in between playing one up front or two but hasn’t had the best of luck with Watkins and Ings in his time in charge at Villa Park.

Neither seems to be able to put together a good run of form.

Since Gerrard was hired as manager in November 2021, Watkins has scored 10 Premier League goals in 29 appearances.

Ings has scored five in 24.

While they’re not awful numbers, they’re lower than you’d expect from two strikers who’ve scored consistently throughout their careers.

Signing a new striker to presumably move ahead of them in the pecking order will surely frustrate at least one of them and could mean a late exit is on the cards this summer too.

Gerrard should be able to get a tune out of Watkins and Ings.

Between them, they have 89 Premier League goals and have both played and scored for the England national team.

Sometimes, throwing money at the problem doesn’t fix it.

In other Aston Villa news, Alan Hutton doesn’t believe Tyrone Mings should be considered to retain a leadership role at Villa Park.