That highlights two things, first of all that Villa desperately needed the huge squad overhaul that took place in the summer having lost so many players, and secondly that they’ve had rotten luck with injuries.

Tyrone Mings, John McGinn and Matt Targett were all sidelined in December and in the same game that the former made a much needed return, summer signings Tom Heaton and Wesley suffered season-ending injuries. While McGinn’s absence has been patched up to a degree by the arrival of Danny Drinkwater and Heaton subsequently replaced by Pepe Reina, Dean Smith’s need for a striker is painfully clear.

Teenager Indiana Vassilev has been the only centre-forward in the last two matchday squads, starting both from the bench, and ahead of a huge run of fixtures against relegation rivals the wait for reinforcements can’t afford to go on much longer.

A number of names have been linked to the club over the past fortnight but very little headway has been made on any transfer, with Villa ideally hoping to bring in two strikers before the deadline. We run through the most realistic options available, with Premier League experience having been highlighted as a top priority.