As we have just passed the halfway mark of the season, the January transfer window is upon us and Aston Villa have a big opportunity to make a statement (as best they can within the financial rules) as they look to solidify a Champions League spot.
There is already one name through the door, Alysson Edward from Grêmio, for a fee that could rise to around £10m. At just 19 years of age, he has only one professional season under his belt and while he understandably lacks experience, if given opportunities he could prove to be an exciting watch in the second half of the campaign.
There have also been links to other players, most notably Omar Marmoush, who would be a fantastic addition. That said, a move looks unlikely at this stage, with reports suggesting Manchester City are reluctant to sanction a loan for the Egyptian this window. Although with Elmo and Nassef at the club, you can never rule anything out, especially given Nassef’s good relationship with City’s ownership.
Most importantly, I think Villa need three signings overall in this window: a right sided touchline winger, a striker option who offers something different to Ollie Watkins and a right back, a position we seem to have been targeting for the past three seasons.
Below are a few players I think Villa could and should consider.
Right Back
Oscar Mingueza – A player Villa have been linked with in previous seasons but were previously put off by the price tag. With his contract expiring in the summer, he could now be available for a cut price fee of around £8m.
Matty Cash has been excellent this season and would certainly be in the conversation for Player of the Year, but when he was suspended and we were forced to play Bogarde out of position or an unfit García, the drop off in quality was clear. Someone like Mingueza would provide genuine competition and allow for better rotation, similar to what we have on the left side.
Right Winger
Villa have already signed Alysson Edward for this position, but it remains unclear whether he will be part of the first team plans immediately. There are also rumours that Leon Bailey’s loan at AS Roma could be terminated, though it is believed he would still not feature in Unai Emery’s plans.
Any further movement on the right wing is likely to depend on Villa being able to agree the departure of Harvey Elliott, which would free up squad space.
Striker
Robinio Vaz – Villa have been linked with Vaz in the French media this week. The 18-year-old Olympique Marseille striker has shown promise in his limited first team minutes this season and is reportedly available for €20m to €25m.
He has shades of Jhon Durán about him and could represent a young but suitable backup or alternative to Ollie Watkins, particularly against sides where Villa need more physicality or directness.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think Villa need to do business if they are to get over the line for Champions League qualification. If 70 points is the usual benchmark for a top four finish, that likely means around nine more wins. Adding at least a striker and a winger would significantly help Villa reach that target, PSR permitting.
