Henri Lansbury has an uncertain future at Aston Villa, with the midfielder struggling for form, fitness and playing time under Dean Smith. Lansbury was a regular at Villa Park after making the switch from Nottingham Forest in January 2017, but his career has spiralled ever since and a return to the City Ground might be necessary for the 28-year-old to turn his fortunes around.
Lansbury has endured a stop-start season due to a recurring hamstring injury and Smith recently admitted to the Express and Star that he had a lot of work to do to ensure he doesn’t suffer another setback. He said: “We have to build him up and make sure he becomes more of a robust character and player. We can’t afford to have him breaking down anymore.”
The former English u21 international has made just three appearances in all competitions this season, racking up a paltry eight minutes of Championship football. Lansbury spent much of the campaign outside the matchday squad before Smith was appointed manager, but he’s been unable to prove his worth and might feel he needs to move away to start again.
Forest should consider making an official approach for their ex-captain. Lansbury made 150 appearances for the Reds, contributing more than 50 goals and never looked better than when he was with Forest. New manager Martin O’Neill isn’t short on midfielders (Ben Watson, Liam Bridcutt, Adlene Guedioura, Claudio Yacob, Jack Colback) but there is a lack of quality.
Watson, Bridcutt and Guedioura have left a lot to be desired this season, however. Lansbury would provide a much-needed creative outlet too. Forest have failed to score in four of their last five games in all competitions, so would the ex-player be a good signing? Given his current fitness woes, a loan move might be the smarter option.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Goalkeeper has ‘broken his contract’ with Forest and is ‘on his way’ out
