Managing Aston Villa as Conor Gallagher signs and fan favourite returns in £54m spree

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Aston Villa fans will be pinching themselves with their side currently flying high domestically and in Europe. After a shaky start to the season where the Villans failed to win any of their first five Premier League games, Unai Emery ’s men have since managed to build incredible momentum.

Just two defeats in their last 18 league matches means Villa are well and truly in the title race, being just six points behind league leaders Arsenal with 17 games left to play. They are also third in the Europa League ’s league phase table, meaning they are well on track to lift the trophy Emery has won more than any other manager.

Saturday’s thrilling 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup means they are challenging for trophies on three fronts. But there is still room for improvement.

The January transfer window is open, providing Emery with the opportunity to bolster his squad as he looks to end the 30-year wait for silverware at Villa Park. Now, Mirror Football takes a look at three realistic transfer decisions this month that could allow Villa to do exactly that.

Villa have once again been linked with a move for Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza this winter. The former Barcelona right-back’s contract runs out at the end of the season, meaning Villa can nab him on a free transfer in June.

Yet, Mingueza could be signed for as little as £8million this month should Emery feel the need to add cover for Matty Cash. The Mail claim the 26-year-old has been proposed to Emery, although Newcastle United and West Ham have also been linked with the defender.

Mingueza has become a key player for the La Liga side in recent years and his versatility across the backline could be an important addition to Villa. While Cash is the undisputed starter at right-back, Andres Garcia has constantly battled with injury this season, leaving Lamare Bogarde to fill in on occasion.

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The Spaniard would provide more natural cover to cope with the demands of three competitions, while also able to fill in for the likes of Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres, who have had their own injury issues. And there may well be wiggle room on the initial £8m asking price given his expiring deal.

It is no secret that Emery appreciates an energetic midfielder in the No. 8 role. After the anti-climax of Harvey Elliott’s loan move, Conor Gallagher has emerged as a potential signing this January.

The former Chelsea man has been constantly linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid in recent months despite making 27 appearances for the Spanish side this season and enjoying a good relationship with his manager Diego Simeone.

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The bulk of the 25-year-old’s appearances have been off the bench this season and it’s understood he is interested by what Villa have to offer , with the club hierarchy having looked to sign him 18 months ago when he was still at Stamford Bridge.

His fresh legs could give Villa exactly the momentum they need in the second half of the season. And, priced at a reasonable sum of £35m, Gallagher could prove a shrewd acquisition, though Villa are more likely to explore a loan deal with an obligation to buy.

A report in the The Telegraph has claimed Villa are eyeing a move for Tammy Abraham , who has been on their radar in previous transfer windows. The former Chelsea striker is currently plying his trade with Turkish side Besiktas, on loan from AS Roma, where he has been in great goal-scoring form.

Villa are already well-acquainted with the Englishman, who became a fan favourite during a season-long loan stint from Chelsea during the 2018/19 season. He netted 26 goals in 40 Championship appearances for the club that season, playing a crucial role in their promotion back to the Premier League via the play-offs.

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Now aged 28 and boasting plenty of experience, Abraham would provide valuable competition for Ollie Watkins - something they have missed since Jhon Duran’s exit in January of last year. Emery has already shown interest in signing Abraham in the summer of 2023, when an injury reportedly prevented the striker from making a return to Villa Park as the club pursued him.

It was reported Villa had agreed a deal with Roma before Abraham suffered an ACL injury on the final day of the season. It’s believed securing his signature now could be complicated.

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