Why Aston Villa must take a gamble on Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle

According to The Times, Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle is attracting interest from Aston Villa during the January transfer window.

Aston Villa want to secure attacking reinforcements and have been credited with an interest in a host of forwards in the first 11 days of the January transfer window, claims the Times. Dwight Gayle is the latest name to be linked with the Villans as manager Dean Smith’s search for a new striker goes on.

Gayle, 29, scored 24 times on loan at West Brom last season as they fell just short in their hunt for promotion but his game time back at Newcastle has been very limited. The striker has started just one game for the Magpies this season as he finds himself below Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Andy Carroll in the pecking order.

Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle in action. (Getty Images)

Despite his lack of action in recent months, should Aston Villa make a move for Gayle?

The loan signing of Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater is the only piece of business Villa have completed in January. Injuries to goalkeeper Tom Heaton and striker Wesley have left Villa extremely thin on the ground and Smith must sign a new goalkeeper and a striker quickly this month.

Wesley’s season-ending injury has left Smith with Jonathan Kodjia and Keinan Davis as the only number nine options. While Kodjia has never been a prolific goalscorer in his career, Davis is too young to lead the attack. Thus, a bonafide goalscorer is desperately needed for Villa to avoid relegation from top-flight.

Speaking about Gayle, the 29-year-old has never fully convinced in the Premier League and will be a major risk for a team whose top-flight status is on the line with four months to go until the end of the campaign. He has never scored more than 10 goals in a Premier League campaign, which makes him a massive gamble for Villa to consider.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith. (Getty Images)

However, there’s no doubting that Gayle will be a straight upgrade on Kodjia and Davis at Villa Park. He may have not convinced in the top-flight but with better quality players and regular opportunities, the former Crystal Palace man could provide with a regular supply of goals for Smith’s side.

The 29-year-old could potentially excel with the likes of Jack Grealish, Anwar El Ghazi and Mahmoud Trezeguet around him, thereby replacing Wesley until the end of the campaign.