Unai Emery has overseen a busy transfer window at Aston Villa with seven players arriving to bolster the ranks.
The big-money sales of Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby have allowed Aston Villa to sign the likes of Amadou Onana, Ian Maatsen, Jaden Philogene and Ross Barkley.
That being said, Unai Emery is not thought to be completely satisfied with his Villa squad as they compete in the Champions League this season and would ideally want a replacement for Diaby and a right-sided defender.
The fact Jhon Duran now looks likely to stay means the need for a forward is less pressing, but a player who can cover both right-back and centre-back has been high on Emery’s list of priorities.
- READ MORE: Aston Villa face Deadline Day transfer twist as Premier League giants consider Jhon Duran move
With the summer transfer window slamming shut at 11pm today, time is running out if Villa are to give their manager what they want.
No Deadline Day signings expected at Aston Villa despite Lutsharel Geertruida pursuit
The search for a right-sided defender saw Villa identify Feyenoord captain Lutsharel Geertruida as a prime candidate.
The 24-year-old has shown he is equally capable of playing both roles and with Matty Cash now sidelined through injury the need for Geertruida’s signing was given greater urgency.
However, the Dutch defender is now expected to sign for RB Leipzig in a move that will leave Emery disappointed.
- READ MORE: Unai Emery set to miss out on ‘crucial’ top Aston Villa transfer target in Deadline Day blow
With that pursuit likely to end unsuccessfully, Villa fans have now had their misery compounded as they have been told not to expect any incomings before Friday night’s deadline.
Mail Sport journalist Tom Collomoose is the bearer of bad news, posting on X: “Of course you can never say never but as things stand no incomings expected at Aston Villa today.
“Reality of modern market is that clubs must take account of PSR and Villa are no different.”
Aston Villa left short if no Deadline Day signings
Whilst Villa have made seven signings this summer, two of those have immediately left on loan in Lewis Dobbin and Samuel Iling-Junior.
They could well be joined in a temporary move away by another new arrival in Enzo Barrenechea, meaning only four new players are available to Emery in a season in which they will compete on all fronts.
- READ MORE: Who is Enzo Barrenechea? The Juventus gem likened to Rodri now included in Douglas Luiz swap deal
Add to that the departures of two key players from last season in Luiz and Diaby – as well as Cash’s injury – and suddenly Emery’s squad looks a little light again.
Geertuida’s ability to cover two defensive positions made him a really attractive option for Villa and missing out on his signing would be a blow.
With the competing priorities of the Champions League and Villa’s domestic exploits, a small squad could see fatigue play its part this season.
Villa will hope that is not the case, but one or two Deadline Day signings would certainly have helped with this potential issue.
