In the 2016/17 January transfer window, Steve Bruce was looking to get his feet right under the table at Villa Park.

The Villans' impressive start to life under the former Hull City boss had become undone in recent times - a run of just two defeats in Bruce's opening 13 league games had been marred by a run of four games without a win.

Bruce knew that additions had to be made going into the latter stages of the window, and having already completed the signings of Henri Lansbury, Conor Hourihane and Birkir Bjaranason early on, it was clear that he was going for it.

[ad_pod ]

It then became deadline day, and on the night when Villa lost 3-0 aganst Brentford at Griffin Park, Bruce moved to get revenge on the West London side, beating West Ham United to the signing of Scott Hogan for a reported fee of £12million.

It was a move that came out of nowhere, but delighted plenty of Villa fans. Hogan had endured a tough time with injuries at Griffin Park, sustaining a cruciate ligament injury which really halted his progress following his move from Rochdale.

But the striker finally made an impact with the Bees, scoring 21 goals and impressive 27 league starts, quickly becoming one of the most prolific forwards in the division.

This announcement overjoyed Villa fans - they already had the likes of Jonathan Kodjia and Ross McCormack to choose from up front, and Hogan would be another exciting player to add their armory.

But just like that night, it went quickly downhill for Hogan at Villa.

He lost his prolific touch in front of goal, scoring just one goal for the remainder of the season, and then netting nine times in the following campaign in all competitions.

Expectations were high for Hogan when Dean Smith was appointed as new Villa manager, with plenty hoping that their new boss could get the best out of Hogan just like he did at Griffin Park.

But after failing to find the net in seven games this season, a loan switch to Sheffield United followed, where the 26-year old finally opened his account for the season, in a 3-2 home defeat to Bristol City at the weekend.

It's a signing that has flattered to deceive as of yet, and it will be interesting to see whether he appears in Smith's plans next term.