Jordan Ayew arrives as Sherwood's new-look Aston Villa takes shape

Published on: 28 July 2015
Jordan Ayew arrives as Sherwood's new-look Aston Villa takes shape
Jordan Ayew

Jordan Ayew has made an encouraging start to his Aston Villa career without even kicking a ball. Confirmed as a new signing on Monday afternoon, almost immediately the striker was making claret and blue friends.

"It took 10 seconds to work out he was the right coach for me and Aston Villa was the right team for me," said the 23-year-old, reflecting on his first meeting with manager Tim Sherwood and providing a mini-masterclass on how to create the perfect first impression at the same time.

In the days preceding his transfer to Villa, Ayew had made his feelings crystal clear, citing his desire to leave Lorient to come to the Premier League. When the French club appeared to try and haggle on a fee that had apparently been agreed to, the striker reacted with frustration, even hinting at preparing to strike.

This was the move he wanted, and the move he pushed for. He didn't want to be messed around. He didn't want Villa to endure protracted negotiations. The player reportedly waived his signing-on fee to make it happen. A deal was struck soon afterwards.

The tail-end of the transfer saga suggests there's a little bit of trouble in Ayew. If you like your strikers to come with a hint of swagger, the Ghanaian certainly ticks that box from all accounts; there have been reports of a questionable attitude and of criticising teammates.

He once collected two yellow cards in as many minutes, after coming on as a substitute for Marseille against Evian.

There definitely seems to a wild streak in him. And Villa have probably overpaid to get him, too. Lorient spent just under £3m to sign him from Marseille a year ago and 12 months on have nearly trebled their money; Villa's fee is said to be around the £8.5m mark, rising to £10m with add-ons over the course of a five-year contract.

It's steep enough but modest by Premier League standards, especially for a club which has made a similarly large profit on an outgoing striker.

Of course, there is an element of risk to the signing. Ayew is new to England and doesn't have a proven goalscoring record in the division; he's raw, and explosive, and exciting, just as Christian Benteke was when he arrived from Belgium three years ago. But for Villa it's a calculated risk.

Some fans will have seen Ayew playing for Lorient in Ligue 1, others just edited TV highlight and online video packages.

On the other hand, Sherwood will have had the player extensively scouted and analysed, and the striker would have been on a shortlist of suitable candidates presented to him by Paddy Reilly, the Director of Recruitment.

New Sporting Director Hendrik Almstadt might have had an input, though he's still settling in to the role. The point is that Ayew is not a rash, knee-jerk of a signing.

Sherwood and his staff would have done their homework extensively and the best part of £10m opens up a wide field of forwards. Plenty of strikers to choose from.

The Villa manager will have been impressed by Ayew's pace and all-round ability; he can play as a lone centre-forward and on the right or left of a front three, which could be useful if Sherwood plays a 4-3-3 next season. He can score with his head, takes a cool penalty -- his casual style is actually similar to that of Benteke -- and shoot from distance.

A few of his goals for Lorient were lashed in from outside the box, hit first time. Sherwood will also have noted that Ayew scored 12 goals for a club which spent last season fighting relegation. He can deliver in a struggling side.

He's gifted enough to make an impression in the Premier League and has all the talent to quickly endear himself to Villa fans who are searching for a new hero. He won't be able to do it all himself, which is why Sherwood wants another striker in shortly.

If that player is Emmanuel Adebayor on loan, an experienced, well-travelled partner would provide the ideal support for a young striker who, you feel, will definitely liven up Villa Park over the coming months.

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