If Tammy Abraham does leave Aston Villa, who could replace him?

The rumours are swirling and it doesn’t make positive reading for Aston Villa fans. Tammy Abraham, top scorer in the league with 16 goals in 20 games, could have his loan cut short as a possible move to Wolves looms.

Rumours of an £18 million bid being accepted by Chelsea from Wolves started the day off, but since then a number of conflicting reports have surfaced.

It’s a massive shame that this news is floating as Abraham has been fantastic in claret and blue since arriving. He’s been a relentless goalscorer, his link-up play has been consistent and his all-round attitude has been a breath of fresh air at Villa Park.

If the move does happen - I want to use this space to thank him for the few months he has given Villa fans. I really hope he smashes in the goals in the Premier League and forces his way into the England squad for Euro 2020.

However, football moves on quickly and we have to now too. If the rumours turn out to be true, then who replaces Tammy Abraham up front for Aston Villa?

Scott Hogan & Jonathan Kodjia

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Let’s start with the obvious choices. Villa have two really good Championship strikers already in their squad.

Jonathan Kodjia has been forced out to a left-wing position this season but has still come up with some very important goals. He will get goals at this level and being the main man will increase the number. The only issue for Kodjia is whether he is consistent or hard-working enough to lead the line for Dean Smith’s Aston Villa.

Scott Hogan is an entirely different case. We know he can play in a Dean Smith team. He’s done it before and to a lot of success. Unfortunately for him, his Villa career has stuttered and stalled more than a faulty gearbox. Will he get over his stigma to take his chance and reignite his Villa life?

Neal Maupay

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The most talked about option at the moment is Brentford’s pit-bull of a striker, Neal Maupay. This choice has been heavily hyped up in recent weeks thanks in part to a quote in an interview where you could say he wasn’t against a move to B6.

Let’s be honest here. In the game against Brentford earlier this season, Maupay was incredibly infuriating to play against. He is gritty. He is nasty but he is just the sort of player you want in your team. Smith knows how to use him too. He scored 12 league goals in his first season at Griffin Park while this term, he has 15 goals in 22 appearances for the Bees. He scores goals at this level and he scores goals for Dean Smith. It does kind of make sense.

Dominic Solanke

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Let’s go from one under-used young English striker to another. It worked for Abraham but could it work for Liverpool’s Solanke? The England U21s man has been prolific for his country at youth level but he hasn’t had the opportunity in the Premier League. He isn’t beating Mo Salah to a front-line position at Anfield so why not take a dip to the Championship to boost your reputation?

There are a couple of issues though. It’s worth noting that Crystal Palace and some Bundesliga sides are very interested in signing him. It’s hard to turn down top flights side for Villa at the moment. It’s only fair to say.

Also, do Villa want to rely on another loan striker after Abraham? It’s left the club in a difficult position so Smith might be a bit reluctant to bring in a goalscorers on a temporary basis.

Vincent Janssen

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Okay. Hear me out on this one.

His time at Tottenham has been nothing short of an utter failure. He has hardly played and when he has, he rarely scores. He’s not been good enough and I’m sure he will be the first one to admit that.

On the other hand, if you have Harry Kane in front of you in your position, are you going to be a success? This man was a proven goalscorer in Holland which is the same league that introduced the likes of Robin van Persie, Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez to European football. He’s also only 24 years of age. He has his best years ahead of him.

The best part? Tottenham want him out, so he could go cheap. Potentially, he is a steal.