Colin Calderwood: Lewis Grabban brings more to Aston Villa than just goals
Colin Calderwood claims Lewis Grabban is bringing more to Villa than just goals after saluting the striker’s red-hot form.
On-loan Bournemouth striker Grabban has scored eight times in just 14 appearances since joining on deadline day.
The 30-year-old’s strike in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Derby took his overall tally to the season to 20, with 12 of those coming while on loan at Sunderland earlier in the campaign.
Grabban is now level with Rams striker Matej Vydra in the race for the Championship’s Golden Boot.
But Calderwood has also been impressed by the former Norwich man’s versatility, with his ability to play on the wing increasing Villa’s tactical options: “He’s done very well but outside his goals tally, his all-round contribution is good.
“When he changed his position on Saturday (to the wing), that’s when he got the goal, which is good for us going forward.”
Calderwood has, meanwhile, insisted it will be ‘business as usual’ when Villa round off their league campaign at Millwall on Sunday. Yet the assistant boss admitted the club’s main focus is already on the play-offs and confirmed some players are likely to be rested.
Villa head to The Den cemented in fourth position. The hosts, meanwhile, require a victory, defeats for Derby and Preston and a seven-goal swing to stand any chance of sneaking into the top six.
Calderwood said: “I think if anyone is carrying any sort of knock then we obviously have to be careful, but it’ll be business as usual.
“Of course, our real focus is now on the first play-off match, but we’ve got a game to play and want to keep the rhythm going.
“We want to go away from home with the intention of getting something.”
