Aston Villa to replace Jonathan Kodjia with Borja Baston

Aston Villa are on the verge of signing Swansea City striker Borja Baston on a short-term deal, as they look to replace Jonathan Kodjia.

Once upon a time, Spanish striker Borja Baston was one of the very best strikers in La Liga. No, seriously!

In the 2015-16 Spanish La Liga season, Baston scored 18 goals in 36 matches for Eibar. In fact, the only players to score more goals than him in the league that season were Suarez, Ronaldo, Messi, Benzema, Neymar, Griezmann, Aduriz, Bale, and Castro.

Baston was hot property after that season, especially at only 23. It did come as a bit of a surprise when he signed for Swansea City the following summer.

After all, the Swans had just finished a bang-average 12th and many expected Baston to sign for a bigger Spanish club. However, they broke their club-record transfer fee to sign him for £15.5 million, and that decision could not have been any worse.

Baston scored just 1 league goal in 2016-17 with Swansea, and despite getting 2 consecutive loans back to La Liga with Malaga and Alaves to help rediscover his form, he managed just 6 league goals across the 2 campaigns back in Spain. Now, Baston is back with Swansea in the Championship, and is doing a bit better, but still nowhere near what he was a few years ago.

Aston Villa still sees something in him though, since they are on the verge of signing him as the January window comes to a close. Dean Smith’s side let go of Jonathan Kodjia earlier this month, and are seemingly looking for a replacement.

It has been years since Baston scored regularly however, and it might take something truly special to get his form back. Perhaps Smith and co are hoping he can benefit their side off the ball  – this is an area that their other striker Wesley has been rather poor in.

Aston Villa are sitting in 16th, just 2 points from the drop zone, so they could use all the help they can get until May.