On-loan winger Robert Snodgrass is unlikely to return to Aston Villa next season, according to fans of the Championship club - although most would be open to a second season.
The 30-year-old Scottish international spent the entirety of the 2017/18 campaign on loan at Villa Park and received generally positive reviews for his season's efforts, despite Villa's campaign ending in hugely-disappointing circumstances following their play-off final defeat against Fulham at Wembley on Saturday.Embed from Getty Images
However Villa fans posting on popular Forum Villa Talk believe they are unlikely to see Snodgrass for a second season in the Championship despite him being surplus to requirements at West Ham, for whom he featured on just 15 occasions before being sent out on season-long loan.
And that's largely as a result of Villa's parlous financial situation, which will almost certainly mean they have to part company with high-earners such as Snodgrass and John Terry, who was costing the Midlands-based club some £60,000-per-week.
"Snoddy has been great but West Ham are unlikely to let him leave for a low fee," wrote Villa fans Eastie. "So he’s probably not going to be here [next season]."
"He has been fantastic for us but the last four weeks have shown that (a) the Championship or lower Premier League is very much his level and (b) he is not worth whatever West Ham will want for him, added Ponky.
"I doubt he'll be available on loan again next season which is probably just as well, as we desperately need some pace out wide."
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Despite having been a success during his season on loan, a lack of speed and acceleration is one area of Snodgrass' game that has been criticised by Villa supporters - although at Championship level that isn't necessarily a huge problem, say some.
"He doesn't have pace but it's not a flaw," wrote skarroki. "But he's a very talented player and should not be in the Championship.
"We were lucky to get him on loan for a season and if he's not here next season it's because he's got much better options at a higher level, not because we'd rather risk playing an inconsistent winger from the Academy. His drive and personality can only have a positive effect on the dressing room and I will be gutted to see him go."
Fellow Villain markavfc40 was in full agreement. "If he had pace he would be starting week in, week out for a top half Premier League side," he wrote. "Technically he is very good and his work rate is excellent. I'd like him to stay but he won't and him leaving does allow us to improve on a lack of pace in the team."
Yet not all Villa supporters felt that losing SNodgrass will be to the detriment of the team as a whole. "He often fails to beat his man, his ball delivery has been disappointing and his free kicks are an abomination," wrote sidcow.
"I know his attitude is great and he gives his all, but ultimately he's meant to be a winger and therefore should frequently beat his man and get in a deadly cross. I'm just not seeing what other people are and I won't be devastated if we cannot get him back."
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Villains on Snodders
"He is elite level Championship, low level Premier League standard. As you say, he more than makes up for it with other qualities, but he lacks pace, which can be identified, exposed and dealt with accordingly, a flaw."
- A'Villan
"Good player for us but one who won't be with us next year, of all the loan players I think he has helped the most."
- Jimzk5
"Love his mentality and he has put some great performances in, but the final showed how painfully predictable he is with that lack of pace and cutting inside every single time, holding onto the ball for longer than he should. He also made the wrong decision in what could have ended up as our most clear cut chance of the game.
- Tom13
"I don't see Pellegrini playing him so he may be out on loan again. It's well documented that his issue as West Ham was he Bilic wouldn't play him on his favoured side , which we have but it's meant that when things are not going right we don't switch the wingers over. I do like him though and he has done well and comes across as a decent character but I think that's he last of his time here."
- Nabby
"He monopolieses our set pieces and his delivery isnt that great (must be better in training), his work rate is excellent and he's a below average Premier League player but probably one of our better players. Let him go unless he's cheap."
- tinker
"Snodgrass' set pieces have gone beyond shocking. I'm sick of seeing him hit free kicks into a wall and over-hitting corners. He is slow as well. Would I take him back on loan? Possibly, but for me his lack of pace is a massive problem. We are shit offensively at counter attacking as our midfield are like snails."
- Demitri_C
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