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Aston Villa winning this £10m race would be a significant step towards survival

Why Mbwana Samatta would be a smart signing for Aston Villa

According to the Daily Mail, Aston Villa are one of the clubs interested in signing KRC Genk striker Mbwana Samatta.

Mbwana Samatta, 27, has hit the net 10 times this season after his 32 goals fired Genk to the Jupiler League title last season. Three in six Champions League matches this season, including one against Liverpool, has seen him attract attention from the likes of Norwich City, Brighton, Leicester City, Watford, Eintracht Frankfurt and Lazio, the report adds.

The Tanzanian had also been crowned the winner of the Ebony Shoe award last year, which is awarded to the best African player or player of African descent in Belgium. With Samatta enjoying another impressive season with Genk, Aston Villa must do everything to their powers to win the race for his signature.

Mbwana Samatta in action for Genk. (Getty Images)
Mbwana Samatta in action for Genk. (Getty Images)

The Villans have endured a tough first half of the season in which they have managed just 27 goals. Dean Smith’s side have often looked toothless and devoid of energy going forward, resulting in a lack of productivity. They are in dire need of reinforcements, especially in the forward department in order to avoid the drop.

Neither Jonathan Kodjia nor the injured Keinan Davis have offered any real competition for hit-and-miss summer signing Wesley Moraes, who unfortunately suffered a nasty-looking injury after scoring in the 2-1 win over Burnley on New Year’s Day.

As for Mbwana Samatta, the 27-year-old’s Champions League experience makes him a very attractive prospect for an Aston Villa side struggling at the wrong end of the table.

He has been prolific since moving to Belgium in 2016. The striker notched up 26 goals in 49 appearances last season for club and country and featured in the African Cup of Nations.

Mbwana Samtta has established himself as one of the potent strikers in Europe. (Getty Images)
Mbwana Samatta has established himself as one of the potent strikers in Europe. (Getty Images)

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Samatta has the ability and all the right attributes to perform at the highest level for a club like Aston Villa, as can be seen from his prolific scoring rate.

He is simply lethal in the box and does have the creative edge to bring his teammates into the game as well. The Genk talisman would, hence, slot in seamlessly at the Villa Park and boost Villa’s hopes of retaining their Premier League status.

Verdict

At the age of 27, the Tanzania international is performing at the peak of his powers. There’s no doubting his goalscoring ability and available at about £10million, Samatta could turn out to be a signing of real significance for Smith’s Aston Villa.