Unai Emery is open to letting Jaden Philogene leave Aston Villa this month.
Philogene returned to Villa from Hull City in the summer, with the Villans paying a reported £16 million for the winger, who did not join the Tigers until 2023.
However, he has managed just four starts in all competitions, making 15 appearances in total, and is yet to score or score a goal.
He created just four chances for his teammates, while registering shots worth just 0.54 expected goals.
Villa are in the market for a wide player this month, with links to Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen on Thursday, and ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Leicester City on Saturday, Emery admitted Philogene could leave, most likely on a rental basis. in January.
Unai: “We start the new year focused on our match against Leicester, starting at home at Villa Park. We have had a very good year, but we are trying to separate last year, last season and this season.” pic.twitter.com/1zHjrQ9iSz
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 3, 2025
“He has potential. He hasn't shown his potential in the first six months he's been here with us, but under different circumstances,” Emery said.
“He played minutes and played some important games, such as against Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
“I believe in his potential, but it might also be an option for him or for the club because there are many clubs interested in him because they also believe in his potential.
“We're not close [to a move]. As a coach I don't really want to let him leave, but we talk about the different options, and maybe [that] could be an option for him.
“[He is injured. He is not available for the match [against Leicester]. My conversation with him before was to be patient, to take the time to improve things.
“For January it could be an option for him or for the club to let him leave.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins
Watkins was involved in 97 goals in 165 Premier League games for Aston Villa (67 goals, 30 assists).
He has both scored and assisted in a Premier League match for the tenth time in the 2-2 draw against Brighton, the most of any Villa player in the competition.
Leicester City – Jamie Vardy
After scoring five goals in his first six Premier League appearances against Villa, Leicester captain Vardy has failed to score in any of his last six games against the Villans in the competition.
MATCH PREDICTION: ASTON VILLA WINS
Leicester have lost each of their last four Premier League games. They last lost more in a row in August/September 2022 (six), while they last did so while conceding more than two goals each time in September/October 2003 (five).
Since losing their first home Premier League game of the season to Arsenal, Villa are unbeaten in their last nine at Villa Park (W5 D4). The Villans have scored more than two goals in 12 of their last 17 on home soil.
Playing their first league match of a calendar year at home, Villa have lost just one of their last thirteen such matches (W6 D6), losing 2-0 to Swansea in 2012. This is the first time that Villa has kicked off a year. with a home game since 2019 (2-2 vs QPR in the Championship).
Both teams have scored in 13 of the 14 Premier League meetings between these sides at Villa Park, with the sole exception being a 2-0 win for Leicester in December 2001.
Following their 2-1 win at the King Power Stadium in August, Villa will be looking to complete their first league double against Leicester since 2003-04.
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
Aston Villa – 67.7%
Leicester City – 14.3%
Draw – 18%
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