Steve Bruce: Scott Hogan hot streak won’t halt Aston Villa striker search

Hogan has come alive since opening his Championship account for the season in Villa’s 5-0 New Year’s Day win over Bristol City, a double against Barnsley on Saturday taking the £12m man’s tally to four goals in three games.

With his confidence restored, the 25-year-old recently told his boss ‘not to bother’ adding another forward this month. But with Jonathan Kodjia likely out for the season and teenager Keinan Davis currently the only back-up, Bruce still remains keen to strengthen.

Villa have made enquiries over Leicester City striker Leonardo Ulloa on loan, though reports over the weekend claimed they may now face competition from Premier League duo Brighton and Crystal Palace for the 31-year-old’s signature.

“It’s my job never to be content. If I’m content and happy with what I’ve got then I may as well pack up,” said Bruce.

“We’ve always got to try and improve and it’s my job to improve the squad in any way I can. If I can’t then I won’t do anything.”

Hogan is one of several players who have had to wait before grasping their chance in Villa’s first-team.

Another, midfielder Birkir Bjarnason, was rewarded for an impressive substitute appearance at Nottingham Forest with a first Championship appearance in four months against the Tykes.

“I think he (Birkir) needed to play on Saturday, I had to reward the squad,” said Bruce. “Glenn Whelan was fit and big Mile Jedinak was not quite 100 per cent fit, but I decided Birkir needed to play.

“If I hadn’t played him then the squad doesn’t have the belief that they can get in, do a job and stay there.”