Aston Villa should avoid reported striker target Islam Slimani

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Aston Villa clearly need some forward reinforcements in the January transfer window, especially as they have lost striker Wesley Moraes through injury for the rest of the season.

Dean Smith’s side sit 18th in the Premier League table as it stands and have a real fight on to avoid relegation.

French outlet Le10 Sport have reported that Villa have made a loan offer to take Islam Slimani for the rest of the season.

The 31-year-old is owned by Premier League rivals Leicester City, but he’s currently out on a season-long loan at French club Monaco.

It’s unclear on if Leicester would be prepared to rip up his existing loan midway through the campaign, but in any event he is not the answer that Villa need.

The powerful centre-forward has been in decent form since joining Monaco, scoring seven goals and supplying seven assists in only 14 games across all competitions.

But history shows that he’s struggled in English football before and he doesn’t look the right fit for the pace of the Premier League.

Villa need a hungry striker that can lead the line and ideally they need to bring in someone who can provide plenty of energy in the final third.

Slimani is on the opposite end of the spectrum and he only comes alive when fed the ball in goalscoring positions, which is why he would be too big a risk for Smith’s team.

The Algerian has eight goals to his name in 39 Premier League appearances, but he’s not the man that can guide them to safety.