da esoccer bet： This season feels like the one in which Aston Villa could finally end their long-running trophy drought.

da premier bet： Unai Emery has his side third in the Premier League and Europa League, and into the next round of the FA Cup.

Moreover, the Villans are playing some truly sensational football and, on their day, have shown themselves capable of beating anyone.

Additionally, the board look intent on bolstering the squad, with Aston Villa linked to several top talents, including one striker who could be an even better signing than Tammy Abraham.

Aston Villa aiming to bolster their forward line

It’s been a busy month for Villa, with Donyell Malen moving to AS Roma and the two youngsters, Alysson and Brian Madjo, making their way to Birmingham.

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The West Midlanders clearly want to do more business, though, with Abraham being heavily linked with a return to the club.

The Englishman is currently on loan at Turkish side Besiktas, but it appears a move to Villa is progressing well. However, the club are also keeping an eye on other strikers with Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta on their list. There is another target, however, and he goes by the name of Romelu Lukaku.

Indeed, according to a recent report from Spain, Villa are said to be interested in the former Chelsea and Manchester United attacker.

The report has revealed that the Villans are closely monitoring the Belgian international’s situation, as it looks likely that he will leave Napoli this month.

Everton are also said to be interested in re-signing the veteran striker, who would be allowed to leave if an offer of up to €20m is made, which is about £17m.

It would be a surprising move, and one that may raise some eyebrows, but if Villa have the chance to sign Lukaku, they should take it, especially as he could be an upgrade on Abraham.

Why Lukaku would be an upgrade on Abraham and Mateta

In an ideal world, Villa would go out and sign two strikers, ensuring they have more than enough firepower to achieve their goals this season.

Unfortunately, that’s unlikely to happen, and so if it’s an either-or situation, the Villans should splash the cash on Lukaku.

The first reason is the simple fact that, in recent seasons, even though his stock has fallen, the Belgian has proven himself to be a better goalscorer.

For example, when both were playing for AS Roma in the 23/24 season, he racked up an incredible tally of 21 goals and four assists in 47 appearances.

In contrast, Abraham scored just once and provided one assist in the 12 appearances he made while Mateta found the net on 19 occasions.

Then, in the following season, the former Everton star managed an impressive haul of 14 goals and 11 assists in just 38 games as he led Napoli to the title.

For his efforts, the Englishman scored ten goals and provided seven assists in 45 appearances across his time with Roma and AC Milan.

Now, the former Villa loanee has outscored the 32-year-old this term, but that is because the veteran striker has been out injured.

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Things may have gone poorly at Chelsea and he was unfairly treated at Manchester United, but the Antwerp-born poacher’s record in the Premier League is far superior to that of his potential competition.

Lukaku vs Abraham in the PL

Players

Lukaku

Abraham

Mateta

Games

278

89

152

Mins played

20,669

5,029

8,892

Goals

121

26

46

Assists

37

7

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.56

0.37

0.36

Mins per Goal Involvement

130

152

161

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, in 278 appearances, totalling 20669 minutes, the “outrageously good” Lukaku, as dubbed by writer Muhammad Butt, scored 121 goals and provided 37 assists.

That comes out to a truly sensational average of a goal involvement every 1.75 games, or every 130.81 minutes.

In contrast, the former Chelsea gem has scored 26 goals and provided seven assists in 89 appearances in the competition, totalling 5029 minutes. That comes out to a goal involvement every 2.69 games, or every 152.39 minutes.

Ultimately, Abraham would be a good signing for Villa, there is no denying that, but Lukaku could be a genuinely great signing.

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