- Their European odyssey has exposed how crucial depth is to a team of their level
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Aston Villa began the last January transfer window joint-top of the Premier League and rode that fast start all the way to a place in the European Cup for the first time in over four decades.
This year, it’s been a slower pace – but they are still only five points off the top four and one off fifth, which as it stands would be enough for a return to the Champions League.
Their European odyssey has been an unqualified success this campaign but has also exposed how crucial depth is to a team playing at the highest level in two competitions.
They have lost three and drawn two of their Premier League matches immediately after a Champions League game in midweek.
Last January, they unearthed a gem at Middlesbrough by the name of Morgan Rogers for just £8million. What might they find this time around?
Here, as part of our transfer briefing series looking at Premier League clubs ahead of the transfer window, we examine Villa’s options.
Aston Villa will need to do business in the January window if they are to push on this season
Unai Emery’s side have found that their European odyssey has proved their need to find depth
What do Villa need?
Another wide man. Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey are physically fragile and there are doubts about whether Jaden Philogene is good enough at Premier League level.
Without Boubacar Kamara in central midfield, they also lack balance, so a deputy for the Frenchman would also come in handy.
Like Bailey and Ramsey, though, Kamara cannot be relied upon to complete a full season and the drop-off when he is absent is so great that Villa need to plug that gap.
Do they have money to spend?
Very little. Only the sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus last June spared Villa a big points deduction for breaking spending rules and they may sail close to the wind again this season.
So if anyone comes in, they are unlikely to cost much and the deal may be possible only if a player leaves as well.
Villa need cover on the wings for Jacob Ramsey (left) and Leon Bailey (right) in January
Which players are they interested in?
It would be no surprise if Villa showed an interest in Brentford pair Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo.
The forwards are exactly the sort of players Emery likes and Villa have been successful buying players from Brentford before – Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins have been superb at Villa Park and there is no reason Wissa or Mbeumo could not follow a similar path.
Who might leave?
Philogene. The winger could be forgiven for not knowing whether he is coming or going. He was sold to Hull in summer 2023, bought back by Villa before this season and Mail Sport understands Villa are listening to offers for him again.
Don’t be surprised if a rival has a dart at Ollie Watkins now that he is behind Jhon Duran in the pecking order but without another obvious back-up to Duran, it would be a huge surprise if Villa let the England striker leave.
Mail Sport understands that Villa are willing to listen to offers for winger Jaden Philogene
What unexpected moves should fans keep an eye on?
We have mentioned Kamara already and he showed against Manchester City that he is exactly the sort of player Pep Guardiola’s struggling side needs.
The 25-year-old former Marseille midfielder does the job for Villa that Rodri has always done for City and it is a surprise that City have not shown a strong interest in him yet.
Perhaps that will change in the weeks ahead – but Villa would surely not accept an exit in the middle of a season.
