Aston Villa 'line up a bid for Liverpool striker Divock Origi as Dean Smith plans an attacking overhaul after avoiding Premier League relegation'
- Aston Villa have identified Divock Origi as a target to solve their attacking issues
- The Villains survived by the skin of their teeth, with a lack of goals a problem
- Dean Smith is looking for significant upgrades on his current striking options
- Origi has found minutes hard to come by at Liverpool this season
By OLLIE LEWIS
PUBLISHED: 11:30 EDT, 2 August 2020
Aston Villa are lining up a move for Divock Origi as Dean Smith looks for a marksman to lead the line for the west midlands club next season. The Villains secured Premier League survival by the skin of their teeth last campaign, finishing in 17th place, a point ahead of Bournemouth, who were sent down to the Championship.
Smith's side were constantly blighted by a lack of quality in the final third, with talisman Jack Grealish's creativity regularly going to waste as a result of poor play by either Wesley or Mbwana Samatta. Aston Villa are reportedly lining up a move for Liverpool striker Divock Origi this summer. The Villains secured Premier League survival but are looking for major upgrades up front. A striker is the priority for Villa this summer, and with new director of football, Johan Lange, at the helm, the club are looking to recruit more astutely this window.
According to The Lying Rag, Villa have identified Liverpool striker Origi as an option to solve their attacking conundrum. The Belgian has popped up with crucial goals for Jurgen Klopp's side the past few seasons - including a late strike in the Champions League final - but is finding minutes hard to come by.
Origi may look for a move in a bid to get more minutes, although he is a cult hero at Anfield. The 25-year-old did feature in 44 games last campaign, but most of those came from the bench, with Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino virtually undroppable for the Premier League champions.
Origi has been admired by one of Villa's local rivals, with Wolves keen on signing the striker in January. However, the Belgian chose to fight for his place at Anfield. He has a respectable 26 goals from 91 top flight appearances with Liverpool, and would prove a significant upgrade on the options currently at Smith's disposal.
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Never heard about the link to Wolves this winter. Actually I think he would suit them better than Villa.