The January transfer window is just around the corner and Unai Emery could be looking to strengthen his Aston Villa squad.
Aston Villa were incredibly active during the summer as Emery signed seven new players, most notably a £50 million transfer for Amadou Onana after selling Douglas Luiz to Juventus.
Onana has played a pivotal role for Villa in the early stages of this campaign, becoming a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the park.
Whilst the 23-year-old has been a success, there is one area that Emery didn’t strengthen in the last window, as Villa failed in a last-ditch attempt to sign Lutsharel Geertruida on transfer deadline day.
Since being unable to sign a centre-back, the Villans have often struggled defensively this term, keeping just one clean sheet in the Premier League and that is one position they’re looking to address in January, along with another.
- READ MORE: Aston Villa handed VAR for Tottenham clash who once sent off Dean Smith over ‘farcical’ decision
Aston Villa want a new centre-back and winger in January
Villa have made an excellent start this term, cementing their place in the Premier League’s top four and topping the Champions League table.
However, sources close to Aston Villa News have said that Emery is still looking to sign a new centre-back, although that is dependant on whether Diego Carlos is sold; a stance that was shared in the summer.
It is believed that Carlos could still leave Villa Park, despite filling in well when called upon, though it remains to be seen whether any changes are made in January.
Centre-back isn’t the only position Villa are eyeing, as they’re also looking at a new winger to provide competition for the likes of Leon Bailey, Jaden Philogene and Jacob Ramsey.
That said, it isn’t an area that they’re desperate to strengthen, and the club aren’t willing to pay over the odds for any of their targets.
Aston Villa’s squad depth is already ridiculous
While a new centre-back and winger is on the agenda, Emery is in a position where he doesn’t necessarily need to add any bodies to his squad and it could all depend on what his rivals do.
Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara both recently returned to the squad after recovering from their injuries and they would have felt like new signings.
The Villans also arguably have two of the best striking options on the planet in Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, who have both been magnificent this term.
There is an argument to be made that signing a new right-back is important given the recklessness of Matty Cash in defence however, they can perhaps wait till the summer to address that problem.
To put into context how incredible Villa’s squad depth is, Emery was able to bench key first-teamers Watkins, Cash, Lucas Digne and Jacob Ramsey against Bologna, yet still come away with a 2-0 victory.
Currently, Aston Villa are proving the doubters wrong who said they wouldn’t be able to cope with the busy fixture schedule.
