Steve Bruce has warned Scott Hogan and Gabby Agbonlahor they must deliver in the Sky Bet Championship for Aston Villa this season, reports the Birmingham Mail.  

Last season, Agbonlahor failed to impress in the Championship, making just 13 league appearances for Villa and scoring one goal, which came in the 1-0 victory over Birmingham City in April.

Hogan was signed during the January transfer window, after the 25-year-old impressed during the first-half of the season for Brentford.

The striker arrived at Villa Park having scored 14 goals, but managed to find the net on just one occasion during his 13 appearances for Villa, as injury hampered his end to the season.

Villa were reliant on the goals of Jonathan Kodjia last season, with the Ivorian scoring 19 times in the Championship, with only a handful of players in the division bettering his tally.

Kodjia will miss at least the opening month of the season as he recovers from injury, which has led to Bruce delivering a warning to Hogan and Agbonlahor, he said: “We need to see the emergence of Gabby. We also need to see the emergence of Hogan.

“Kodjia will be out for between a month and six weeks and last season we relied too heavily on him.

“I’ve always said you’re only as good as your strikers so let’s hope that we can score more, certainly.”

Despite also having Ross McCormack currently on the books at Villa Park, the likelihood is that Bruce will rely on Kodjia, Hogan and Agbonlahor in the coming season, with the Scottish international out-of-favour.

Recent reports have indicated that McCormack is closing in on a move to Sunderland.

Villa begin the 2017/18 campaign this weekend, when they welcome Hull City to Villa Park.

The Verdict  

It is vital that one of Hogan or Agbonlahor starts the season well for Aston Villa, with Kodjia’s absence a huge blow for all at Villa Park.

Villa started the season slowly last year and Bruce will want a fast start to give his side the best chance of achieving promotion.

Kodjia was excellent last season, but as Bruce says, Villa were far too reliant on him and he will be looking for one of Hogan or Agbonlahor to deliver at least ten goals. 

Aston Villa fans… Let us know your thoughts!