It seems that Villa’s first January signing could be somewhat of a low risk effort financially. The club have reportedly brought 28-year-old Colorado Rapids’ striker Omar Cummings to the club on a trial basis with Houllier set to decide upon whether a loan move would be desired. Now who is Omar Cummings you say, well I don’t have a clue to be honest but I’ve done my research and now feel fit to be the Jamaican’s biographer, at least on his stats this season anyway! Cummings was the MLS side, the Rapids, leading scorer last term in a campaign which saw the Colorado based team win the league title. In 29 appearances he netted a goal every other game (177 mins), scoring 14 times, picking up 4 assists in the process. The Jamaican has made 19 international appearances, scoring on 5 occasions. Predominantly a striker, Cummings can also play as a winger were he has played in past seasons for his club though he showed his proficiency as a forward in his most prolific season yet last year. After scoring in his sides opening two fixtures he was unable to convert in his next eight appearances. Despite this he managed to finish the season on a high netting 9 in his last 9 appearances with 3 assists in the same period. In the previous season he served as a provider rather than a leading scorer, although he did manage 8 goals, laying on 14 assists from a wider position. Excited? Me neither really but who knows, he could be the best thing to come out of Jamaica since John Barnes! To read a full statement from Rapids managing director Jeff Plush,
“Aston Villa contacted us a few weeks ago with interest to see Omar up close,
“After discussing the opportunity with Omar, we felt it would be a good chance for him to get a leg up on preseason training and at the same time get the experience of training with a Premier League club.”
“Omar is a Colorado Rapids player. We explained to Aston Villa that we would be open to discussing a loan agreement for Omar until our season starts on March 19 if it benefitted Omar and the Colorado Rapids.”
There is a “possibility of (Cummings) going to England,” agent Patrick McCabe told the paper. “That (discussion) is very much in progress. A loan deal is being discussed with a Premiership team, a top-10 team.”
To watch a pretty impressive and promising video, click here
