Transfer Centre

Roberto Di Matteo: 'Aston Villa need another striker'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 19 July 2016

Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo admits that his side need to sign another striker this summer, but also outlines his intention to "trim the squad".

Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo has admitted that he needs to sign another striker before the start of the season.

Villa will be in the second tier of English football for the first time since the 1987-88 campaign, and have only Rudy Gestede, Jordan Ayew, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Libor Kozak as senior options up front.

Di Matteo is hopeful of improving that, but also outlined his intention to sell a number of players in order to trim his 30-man squad.

"We're certainly looking for a striker. And maybe some more attacking players, depending on how the next few weeks go and which players are going to leave," he told BBC WM 95.6.

"You could probably name 15 players that have been linked with us but I'm very pleased with the players we've brought in - I think we've done some good business there.

"But my attention will now focus on outgoings. I would like to trim the squad - it's too big for my liking, so there will be some movement now."

Villa, who have already signed goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, defender Tommy Elphick and midfielder Aaron Tshibola this summer, have also been linked with moves for Patrick Bamford and Jonathan Kodjia.

The Villans' first match back in the Championship comes away to Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, August 7.