January could be a busy month for Aston Villa, with Dean Smith keen on bolstering his ranks.
Aston Villa have already tied up Dean Smith’s first signing as manager by landing goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic, but there is more work to be done for Villa next month.
More signings are need to take Villa from a team on the fringes of the play-offs to automatic promotion contenders, with defensive reinforcements certainly needed.
With that in mind, here are five priorities for Smith during next month’s transfer window, as Villa look to start 2019 in the perfect way…
1. Keep Jack Grealish
He may have only signed a new five-year deal in September, but ensuring playmaker Grealish stays at Villa Park remains paramount. The Express recently noted that Tottenham could come back in for Grealish in January having missed out over the summer, meaning Villa may not be safe just yet. It would need a huge fee to get him out of Villa Park, but with Premier League clubs no doubt still watching, Villa need to shun all bids if they arrive.
2. Sign at least one centre back
After seeing John Terry and Christopher Samba leave at the end of last season, Steve Bruce was unable to bring in a new centre back, meaning Axel Tuanzebe and James Chester are Smith’s only options right now. James Collins was set to join as a free agent before picking up an injury in training, and it’s imperative that Villa find another solution at the back, maybe even two as they look to beef up their back line.
3. Bring in a left back to compete with Neil Taylor
A January 2017 signing from Swansea, Taylor hasn’t really impressed for Villa, and landing competition or even a replacement would be wise. The Express and Star recently reported that Smith is keen on young left back Rico Henry, which isn’t a surprise at all given that Smith worked with him at Brentford and Walsall. An exciting, dynamic full back would be ideal to challenge the experienced Taylor, and Henry certainly fits the bill.
4. Sort out the goalkeeping ranks
Yes, Lovre Kalinic has signed for Villa in a huge move for the club, and he should be Villa’s first-choice stopper for years to come. But what about everybody else? Andre Moreira has become a forgotten man since his summer arrival, Orjan Nyland is now in danger of being farmed out just like Pierluigi Gollini was, whilst Jed Steer – out on loan at Charlton – Mark Bunn and even Marija Sarkic are also on the Villa books. It’s time for decisions to be made on some of them, with two or more potentially primed for permanent exits.
5. Make a decision on Scott Hogan
When Smith became manager, many were excited about what he could do with striker Hogan, who shone under Smith at Brentford but struggled under Bruce with Villa. So far though, Hogan hasn’t really got going since Smith’s appointment, and other Championship clubs may be keen on loan moves in January. Villa do already have Tammy Abraham and Jonathan Kodjia, whilst Keinan Davis is now back too, meaning Villa may need to decide Hogan’s future next month.
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