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Sports News of Thursday, 8 February 2018

Source: Karl Lowy

Albert Adomah can play major role in Aston Villa promotion

Albert Adomah has scored twice in 15 appearances for Ghana Albert Adomah has scored twice in 15 appearances for Ghana

Epitomising the work ethic of Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa side, Albert Adomah is coming in to form at the right time to help Aston Villa secure promotion to the Premier League. A resurrection of his form from the first half of the season could be instrumental in Villa playing Premier League football next year.

After Scott Hogan scored his fifth goal in five appearances against Burton Albion in a recent win, Adomah added his first goal in seven Championship matches. It was a welcome return to goalscoring form for the Ghanaian international, who has scored an impressive 11 goals in the first half of the season.

Adomah has already equalled the 12-goal tally the winger scored for Middlesbrough in the 2013/14 season and looks set to add to that having found his goal scoring touch again. Likeable and hard-working, the London-born Ghana player looks to help lead the line in Villa’s promotion push.

The 30-year-old, who has scored twice in 15 appearances for his country, having made his debut in a 1-0 defeat to Brazil in 2011, brings more to Villa though than just a threat in front of goal. Underpinned by a good attitude, Adomah reflects one of the traits that has seen Villa’s run of form in getting within touching distance of an automatic promotion spot.

Willing to work hard for the team in addition to the winger’s goal threat, Adomah is one of the reasons William Hill have Bruce’s side as strong favourites to secure promotion behind league leaders Wolves and second-placed Derby County.

In fact, Derby will be nervously looking over their shoulder with Villa only one point behind them. With the sides facing each other in the penultimate game of the season at the end of April, it could make for a pulsating finale to the season.

Adomah is a significant part of Villa’s push and after only scoring three times last season, has really stepped up this term. The fact that Villa are becoming masters of narrow, hard-fought victories, Adomah has the panache in front of goal and the grit to help his team out defensively to contribute to his sides run of form.

At the beginning of this season, Villa captain John Terry asked the supporters of Villa to stay together . That sentiment may have been tested somewhat when Villa made a substandard start to the season with a home draw to Hull and defeats away to Cardiff and Reading.

However with the sides cohesive performances and consistency since the 1-0 win away to Middlesbrough on December 30th, the belief is now there. It hasn’t been all 1-0 wins ground out through endeavour alone though. Adoma played a significant part in the 5-0 demolition of Bristol City on New Year’s day and has been a pivotal part of the juggernaut that has seen them steadily progress to third place in the Championship.

If Premier League football does return to Villa Park next season Adomah will have earned his right to be there. That aside, his performances indicate that he is good enough to do so too.