With the January transfer window now open for business, Aston Villa could potentially be busy this month in an attempt to strengthen Unai Emery’s squad.
At the half-way point in the Premier League campaign, Villa sit in ninth place with 29 points from our opening 19 games, while we remain in the hunt in the Champions League and our FA Cup run will begin next week.
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There have been positives to take from the first half of the season, but it has become clear that Emery could do with reinforcements to improve on the options he currently has at his disposal. With financial restrictions in mind due to PSR though, it may require exits in order to make space in his squad and raise funds to sign his preferred targets.
According to The Telegraph, three players are possibly in danger of being moved on in January, as it’s reported that both Diego Carlos and Jaden Philogene face uncertain futures at Villa.
Further, it’s noted that Louie Barry could seal a permanent move to a Championship club once he has returned from his loan stint at Stockport County, with Villa having already confirmed that they have activated his recall clause.
With regards to Carlos, it’s an area of the Villa defence that many will fairly argue needs an upgrade, as although the Brazilian centre-half has provided us with a solid option at times, he has been error prone and we simply don’t look a good enough defensive unit when he’s in the side.
Time will tell if Villa target a centre-half as a like-for-like replacement or look for a right-back to allow Ezri Konsa to permanently stay in the middle and instead provide cover and competition for Matty Cash. Perhaps a versatile option who can do both will be the priority.
As for Philogene, it’s a shame that his return hasn’t worked out as well as hoped, as Emery evidently spotted something he liked in the talented winger which convinced him to bring him back to the club last summer.
However, the 22-year-old has made 15 appearances so far this season, totalling 535 minutes of football, and given he’s in a difficult spot where it’s hard for him to express himself and showcase his potential in a bit-part role, an exit could make sense for all concerned if it ultimately allows Villa to go out and sign an upgrade.
Meanwhile, it will be disappointing to see Barry leave if he does indeed seal a permanent exit this month, as the 21-year-old has been in stunning form for Stockport, scoring 16 goals and providing three assists in 24 appearances so far this season.
He’s shown real promise having come through our youth ranks and enjoyed loan spells elsewhere, but it looks as though Villa will try to cash in this month, and that in turn could go towards funding our own signings which Emery feels will benefit us in both the short-term and long-term future.
Time will tell if these touted exits materialise, but it sounds as though it’s going to be another balancing act for Emery, Monchi and the Villa management to ensure that we stay within the PSR parameters whilst trying to get better.
