NEWS NEWS BLOG SPORT look at what could happen at Aston Villa during the January transfer window.
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| Aston Villa have had a woeful season and sit bottom of the Premier League by some distance |
They only have seven points and one win to their name after 17 matches and face the reality of relegation from the top flight for the first time in 28 years.
Tim Sherwood was sacked in October after an awful run of results and replaced with Frenchman Remi Garde, who has been linked with Premier League jobs in the past.
Villa’s faithful have suffered desperately and they haven’t finished above 15th since the 2010/11 season.
Their run to the FA Cup final last season was the only success Villa have enjoyed in recent years, with American owner Randy Lerner becoming increasingly distant from Villa Park.
What do they need?
Where do you start? They concede too many goals and don’t score enough. You would think with the summer acquisitions of former England defenders Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards, Villa would have tightened up at the back.
Far from it. They’ve conceded 31 goals so far, Brad Guzan hasn’t performed as well in goal, and Villa lack a spine to their team. Their midfield is weak and vulnerable, completely exposing their shaky defence.
The biggest problem, however, is goals. Villa haven’t filled the huge Christian Benteke shaped hole in their attack. 14 goals from 17 games is a poor return. Jack Grealish needs to live up to the promise he showed towards the end of last season under Sherwood.
How much can they spend?
It will be interesting to see how much Randy Lerner backs Garde come January.
Villa spent just over £50million in the summer, with £32.5m recouped from the sale of Benteke to Liverpool, but Lerner might not be so generous with Villa in such a dire position.
The club has to consider Championship football next season and desperately splashing the cash in January might not be an option at Villa Park.
Who might they sign?
Two big names have already been mentioned by Remi Garde as Villa must look to boost their squad wherever they can in January.
The season ending injury to £9m French left-back Jordan Amavi leaves them short in defence and Garde has confirmed interest in the former Arsenal and Chelsea fullback Ashley Cole, who’s been frozen out at Roma in Serie A.
Another name linked with Villa is Switzerland captain and powerhouse midfielder Gokhan Inler, who’s desperate for more first team football ahead of Euro 2016 after finding opportunities limited at high-flying Leicester.
Who could leave?
Garde found Villa in a mess when he arrived in November and has been keen to stamp down his authority in Birmingham.
Club captain Gabriel Agbonlahor was reportedly very unhappy at being dropped by the French boss and could seek a move away from Villa Park, with more than Villa 360 appearances to his name.
Charles N’Zogbia has been publically criticised by Garde for his lack of effort in training and matches, which could lead to friction between the two, and the former Newcastle and Wigan might want to end his laboured career at Villa Park in January.
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