MX23RW : Monday, September 30 13:39:53| >> :60:635:635:

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:
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
FT
Bills
10-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool65011221015
2Manchester CityMan City6420146814
3Arsenal6420125714
4Chelsea6411157813
5Aston Villa6411129313
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs6312125710
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
10Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
11Brentford6213810-27
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd621358-37
13Bournemouth512258-35
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Ipswich TownIpswich6042510-54
16Everton6114715-84
17Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
18Crystal Palace603359-43
19Southampton501429-71
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6015616-101


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!