Aston Villa could be close to three new signings, according to Steve Bruce.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has told the club’s official website that he thinks two or three more signings are close following Henri Lansbury’s arrival on Friday.
Villa saw Lansbury – who joined from Nottingham Forest less than 48 hours ago – make his debut in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Preston North End.
Villa were 2-0 up at half time at Villa Park but squandered their lead as North End roared back with two Jordan Hugill goals in the second half.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
The result leaves Villa nine points adrift of the play-offs and struggling to mount a push for the top six, with more new additions clearly needed before the transfer deadline later this month.
Villa have so far brought in Lansbury and goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who joined on loan from Manchester United, but Bruce appears to believe that some more deals are close.
Conor Hourihane celebrates scoring for Barnsley
Speaking to the club’s official website after Saturday’s draw, Bruce admitted that whilst he’s happy with the additions of Lansbury and Johnstone, he still needs more new faces arriving at Villa Park.
Bruce claimed that up to three deals could be close, and with the end of the transfer window drawing ever closer, he hopes Villa will be active – but knows that, with Jordan Ayew and Jonathan Kodjia returning to action, Villa will have options regardless.
“We have concentrated on the game for the last 24/48 hours,” said Bruce. “We’re looking for Henri Lansbury to be just the start of players of that little bit of quality, which we need to bring in. He showed it in abundance today. We have Henri Lansbury and Sam Johnstone, which I am delighted with.”
“We believe we are close to two or three things and obviously it will heat up towards the end of the week. But we still have Jordan Ayew and Jonathan Kodjia to come back – and we don’t play now for several days. We play on transfer deadline day, which doesn’t happen very often. We expect to make a couple if we can. We will see what happens,” he added.
Villa’s top target appears to be Barnsley midfielder Conor Hourihane, but The Sun report that the Tykes want £3million for their star midfielder – and with Bruce also chasing Barnsley right back James Bree, a double deal could be on the cards.
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