Aston Villa aren’t hitting the right notes in the Premier League this season.
Even Unai Emery can’t hide the fact that his team are lacking, with no wins in seven and three defeats in a row in all competitions on the road.
The recently-concluded summer transfer window was a frustrating one for Aston Villa because they had to part ways with some big players because of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and Financial Fair Play (FFP).
Douglas Luiz’s transfer to Juventus might have stolen the headlines, but Moussa Diaby’s move to the Saudi Pro League is also having an effect, especially with Leon Bailey out-of-form.
Speaking exclusively to Aston Villa News, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has offered us an insight into what Villa can do in the forward areas for the upcoming transfer windows – winter and summer – as well as their plans for loan star Louie Barry, who is thriving in League One for Stockport County.
Aston Villa’s transfer interest in Wolves star Matheus Cunha
One of the stars of the Premier League right now is Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, who despite his team’s struggles, is flying in front of goal.
The Brazil star has seven goals in 13 matches for a team sitting in the Premier League’s relegation zone and with only two wins to their name.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Premier League | 13 | 7 | 3 | 1.068 |
That has caught the attention of Aston Villa, with Bailey telling AVN that the Champions League club ‘do like him’, but the player isn’t available in January.
That’s understandable given Wolves’ struggles, but Villa feel like they are ‘lacking’ in the final third this term and they will look to improve on that area of the pitch ahead of the winter transfer window.
“Obviously, Cunha isn’t available in January,” said Bailey. “They do like him. Massively on form. He’s a player who could offer Villa something.
“I think Villa are realising they are lacking something in that final third since Moussa Diaby left. It hasn’t quite been the same. Philogene, the hopes were for him, but of what he has been involved, it hasn’t quite happened. But they still like him a lot. It’s interesting.
“They are in the market for a forward in January, but the right one. If the right one is around, then they will look to do something.”
Villa don’t plan to recall Louie Barry from Stockport County loan
One man absolutely ripping it up this season is Villa’s academy star Barry amid his outstanding form in League One for Stockport County.
Promotion is on the cards for Stockport, with Barry already on 13 goals from just 17 matches, which is pretty incredible given that, most of the time, he has played off the left.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | League One | 17 | 13 | 1 | 1.285′ |
 | EFL Trophy | 1 | 1 | – | 11′ |
| Total 24/25: | 18 | 14 | 1 | 1.296′ | |
But Bailey has told AVN that, whilst the club is ‘considering the Championship option’, they aren’t planning to recall him yet.
“They’re not planning to recall him,” said Bailey. “There were suggestions that they were maybe looking to take him to a Championship club.
“Some Villa fans might presume that he might get recalled. I don’t believe that’s the situation as it stands. They are considering the Championship option for him. Has he outgrown League One? The player is very happy at Stockport. It’s something Villa are considering, but as it stands, the plan is to leave him where he is.”
