Ross McCormack is a big deal for Villa
Striker Ross McCormack is worth every single penny of the reported £12million fee Aston Villa are paying Fulham for his services.
It is understandable why there are question marks over the hefty price tag. The Scottish striker is now 29 years of age and has never played in the Premier League.
If you look at McCormack's goal record, it is clear to see he has the ability to consistently find the back of the net in the Championship, and that is exactly what Villa need.
His career league tally currently stands at 311 starts – 74 games as a substitute – and 133 goals. He has 13 Scotland caps with two international goals.
A Glasgow Rangers academy product, he made 11 league appearances for the Scottish giants.
He's also spent a season at Motherwell but it has been in the Football League is where he has shone.
For Cardiff City, McCormack made 53 starts in the league and scored 25 goals. He then spent four years at Leeds, netting 53 times in 119 league starts.
His exploits in Yorkshire then Fulham, who paid £11m for him in 2014 and there he has played 89 Championship games.
He has scored 38 goals, including 23 last season as the Cottagers had a disappointing 20th-place finish.
Perhaps what is most impressive about McCormack is his knack of maintaining top form even when his team is struggling.
Lets face it, if it was not for him and Moussa Dembele, who is now with Celtic, Fulham would be in League One this term.
Their defence was shaky to say the very least, conceding 79 goals over the course of the campaign.
The only thing that saved them was the 42-goal partnership of McCormack and Dembele. The latter rightly got his big move and now McCormack deserves his.
Although the most important trait for any striker to have, the Scot has far more to his game than just sticking the ball into the net.
He's only 5ft 7in but uses his stocky frame well, operating very comfortably with his back to goal.
McCormack is always looking for space too, he will often cut in from the flanks and likes to drop back.
He will pick up the ball from the midfield and spray, seemingly effortless, precise long-range passes.
Arguably, he would be best suited in a front three for Villa alongside Jordan Ayew, who also likes to roam, and Rudy Gestede.
McCormack would rank among Villa's most expensive signings, behind Darren Bent and with James Milner and Stewart Downing, and fans should be excited.
