Aston Villa’s January transfer window is heating up as manager Unai Emery deals with speculations over key players and seeks to bolster his squad amid recent injury troubles.
Jhon Duran, the young striker who has attracted interest from clubs like Arsenal and West Ham, is under the spotlight as Emery emphasizes his desire to keep him at Villa Park. Despite Duran’s limited playing time, he has made significant contributions with 12 goals from 28 appearances this season. He was listed once again on the bench during the recent Premier League match against West Ham, where Villa drew 1-1.
“The circumstances in this moment are not helping us to be 100% focused,” Emery remarked, addressing the transfer rumors surrounding Duran. “But Jhon Duran is our player, and I am happy with him. I want him here with us. I want him here.” This statement highlights the manager's solid backing for Duran, who has started only four league games this season amid the growing transfer gossip.
Football pundit Jamie Carragher has weighed in on Duran’s situation, advocating for Aston Villa to sell him rather than their primary striker, Ollie Watkins, to retain the team’s balance and effectiveness. “I’d sell Jhon Duran,” Carragher suggested. “It probably goes against the grain of what most clubs would do.” He believes this move could maximize the squad's potential, as the competition for the starting striker position could hinder both players' performance.
On the topic of reinforcing the squad, Aston Villa has resumed talks to sign Argentine defender Juan Foyth from Villarreal. Unai Emery has had his eye on Foyth since taking over the team, noting his flexible capabilities to play both center-back and right-back.
Emery disclosed, “Monchi (sporting director) and the club are looking at different players, the profile.” He endorsed Foyth’s abilities, stating, “He is one player, with his quality, he can unite and play with the qualities and the performance we want to add to the squad.” Acknowledging their need for depth after Diego Carlos's departure to Fenerbahce and Pau Torres’s injury, the team is prioritizing Foyth’s acquisition before the February 3rd transfer deadline.
The momentum surrounding Foyth’s potential transfer gained traction after Villarreal reportedly permitted him to leave, coinciding with Monchi's recent attempts to negotiate for the defender. Emery’s familiarity with Foyth, having previously coached him at Villarreal, adds weight to this interest as he seeks to replicate their successful collaboration which included winning the Europa League.
While focusing on potential signings, Villa’s recent match against West Ham also highlighted pressing injury concerns. Tyrone Mings, returning from a lengthy absence due to an ACL injury, faced another setback, limping off just ten minutes after kick-off. The early departure cast uncertainty on Villa’s defensive setup as Mings left the pitch and later returned to watch the match, apparently relieved as early assessments indicated it wasn’t as severe as first feared.
Emery did express optimism about Mings's injury, stating, “The first tests we did, I think it is not a really bad injury or thinking it will be a long time.” This outlook reflects the club's hope for him to be back on the field soon, which will be pivotal for Villa’s ambitions as they chase European football.
Aston Villa is currently placed eighth in the Premier League standings, demonstrating resilience but lacking consistency, having drawn their last six matches since bouncing back from their Champions League endeavors. Emery is aware the team needs to pick up points to keep their European aspirations alive as they look to solidify or improve their squad dynamics during this transfer window.
With the clock ticking down to the January transfer deadline, Aston Villa is not just focused on holding onto key players but also strategically enhancing their lineup to tackle the remainder of the season head-on, aiming for competitive success and potential European qualification.