Aston Villa is still looking for a Champions League-Tights on two fronts, despite a dip in January that has affected their top-four opportunities.
But even after winning only three of their last eight Premier League matches and sliding in Monaco last week, they are only four points in fourth place and went to the last evening of the Champions League group phase on the CUSP of automatic qualification for the last 16.
The story of their season is the back and forth fight between Spitsen Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, who have combined for 22 goals in all competitions, but are both as competitive as capturing a start spot.
Here our Villa expert Tom Collomosse answers the five biggest questions with which they are confronted when they enter the window for the last five days.
Which company has done Aston Villa so far in January and will they be happy with it?
Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia have arrived for a combined total of around £ 27 million from Borussia Dortmund and Levante respectively.
In terms of expenditure, Jaden Philogene came for £ 19 million, Diego Carlos left for Fenerbahce for £ 8.4 million and EMI Buendia has sealed a loan switch to Bayer Leverkusen.
They have earned back what they have spent, but Villa is far from.
What else should they do and do they have money to spend?
Injuries to Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings, plus the departure of Carlos, means that manager Unai Emery wants at least another center back, as well as an attacker who can play over the front line.
But with Villa that is permanently sitting close to De Lijn on the Premier League profit and sustainability rules, each signature must be compensated by a sale.
Which signing sessions do they focus on?
Instead of working in a clear framework, the recruitment team of Villa are old -fashioned dealmakers who dive on opportunities when they occur.
This allows their transfer plans to feel chaotic while they run between different goals, but they have been very successful with that strategy.
They know that Chelsea Center Back Axel Disasi is available as a possible replacement for Carlos, and have used those conversations to drive the idea to sign the attacking midfielder Joao Felix of the Blues, a long time objective for Emery.
Felix, who is only 25, has difficulty making an impact on Stamford Bridge since his £ 46.3 million move last summer, with only three league games. He has seven goals in all competitions, but six of them came across Morecambe, Panathinaikos and FC Noah.
But don't be surprised if they completely catch catching in the last hours of the window. After all, this is Villa.
Who could still leave?
Villa is desperate to sell Duran since the end of 2024 and can drop their asking price of £ 70 million for the fiery Colombian as the deadline approaches.
Saudi club Al-Nassr belong to those interested in Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea also sounded. But as Mail Sport revealed on Wednesday, Villa is tested by an approach for Watkins from Arsenal. The Gunners are desperately looking for a new attacker and have had an offer that has been rejected for the boy's Arsenal fan.
An improved offer is expected from Arsenal for the 29-year-old, who has long been admired by manager Mikel Arteta. While playing for Brentford in 2020, Watkins said: 'The dream is to play for Arsenal one day. But you know, it's a long chance. '
Back-up right back Kosta Nedeljkovic can leave on loan and Vooruit Louie Barry has completed a loan movement for Hull City in the championship.
Which players were performed in January and can the rest of the season be 'as a new signing'?
Jacob Ramsey has been shocking happiness with injuries, but the midfielder has now recovered and as long as Villa is careful with him, he can be a huge asset to the rest of the campaign.
Villa miss goals from midfield, but in Ramsey they have a player who likes to go beyond the center ahead to score positions. He showed this last weekend against West Ham, while he played a fast one-two with Watkins before he burst into the box and finished low with his left foot.
If he finds shape and fitness, Ramsey is one to look at.
Comments