MX23RW : Monday, December 30 22:15:04| >> :120:6300:6300:

Roberto Di Matteo: 'Aston Villa need another striker'

Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo admits that his side need to sign another striker this summer, but also outlines his intention to "trim the squad".

Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo has admitted that he needs to sign another striker before the start of the season.

Villa will be in the second tier of English football for the first time since the 1987-88 campaign, and have only Rudy Gestede, Jordan Ayew, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Libor Kozak as senior options up front.

Di Matteo is hopeful of improving that, but also outlined his intention to sell a number of players in order to trim his 30-man squad.

"We're certainly looking for a striker. And maybe some more attacking players, depending on how the next few weeks go and which players are going to leave," he told BBC WM 95.6.

"You could probably name 15 players that have been linked with us but I'm very pleased with the players we've brought in - I think we've done some good business there.

"But my attention will now focus on outgoings. I would like to trim the squad - it's too big for my liking, so there will be some movement now."

Villa, who have already signed goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, defender Tommy Elphick and midfielder Aaron Tshibola this summer, have also been linked with moves for Patrick Bamford and Jonathan Kodjia.

The Villans' first match back in the Championship comes away to Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, August 7.

ID:277018: cacheID:277018:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2981:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A general view outside the stadium prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Stoke City at Villa Park on February 21, 2015
Read Next:
Aston Villa sign Tshibola from Reading
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!