Despite being released on a free transfer by two different clubs in just six months, Aston Villa took a punt on striker Chris Sutton in 2006. The former England international ended his Celtic career after the club released him in January 06 due to his poor fitness and a fallout with then-manager Gordon Strachan, and he moved to Birmingham, where he scored just once in 10 games. But Villa clearly thought they were getting a player who was closer to the Sutton of old when they brought him across the city divide. Sadly, they were proved entirely wrong. Months into his debut campaign with Villa, Sutton suffered blurred vision that failed to improve, and he called retirement on his playing career at the end of the respective season, making just eight league appearances for Aston Villa in total and scoring just once in the league. All in all, Sutton scored a total of four goals in his last two seasons playing for three different sides - not exactly a record to envy for the once prolific front man. Which other strange Villa signings deserve to be on this list? Share your thoughts below in the comments thread.
Crippy Cooke, 23, is a freelance Football Writer contributing to What Culture. He's had work featured on Zoo, MSN, London 24, The Telegraph, The Huffington Post, and was recently named Writer of the Year on FTBpro - while also a nominee for Best Male Blog in the Football Blogging Awards.
