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Garry Thompson calls on Aston Villa striker Wesley to step up

Garry Thompson has called on record signing Wesley to show his true mettle as Villa enter a vital period of the season.

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The £22million buy has not scored for more than two months and come in for criticism from supporters after struggling to find consistent form.

Club hero Thompson believes the next few weeks offer the Brazilian striker the chance to win round the doubters.

Villa sit outside the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference and have lost defender Tyrone Mings to injury.

Thompson said: “Mings is a leader on the pitch and you need someone to step up and replace that.

“For me at times Wesley has lacked aggression and he has to show he really wants it. This is the time when Villa really need him to step up.

“There are some big games coming up where they need to take points.”

Villa head to Sheffield United on Saturday before a run of fixtures which sees them face teams around them in the Premier League table.

Thompson, who scored 19 goals in 69 appearances for Villa between 1986 and 1989, reckons it is imperative the club bring in another striker during next month’s transfer window.

But he believes until then fans must stay patient with Wesley due to Villa’s current lack of alternatives.

Wesley has started all 16 of Villa’s Premier League matches so far with Jonathan Kodjia seemingly out of favour and Keinan Davis missing through injury.

Thompson: “At the moment there is no-one to really challenge Wesley.

“Villa need him to be on form and while fans might get frustrated with him they need to keep backing him.

“I don’t think there is any doubt Villa will need to bring in another striker in January. At the very least it will keep Wesley on his toes.”