Aston Villa want a striker and a goalkeeper but the Championship giants will not stop at that as they aim to fight for promotion to the Premier League.
It’s no secret that a goalkeeper and a centre-forward are Aston Villa’s top priorities in the January transfer window.
As reported by the Birmingham Mail, Villa boss Steve Bruce is determined to sign Sam Johnstone on a permanent deal from Manchester United with the shot-stopper spending an excellent year on loan with the Championship giants.
Villa are also keen to enhance their striking options with Jonathan Kodjia set for a few months on the sidelines. The report adds that they are looking at Leicester City’s Leonardo Ulloa (below) and Burnley’s forgotten man Nahki Wells.
But the Birmingham Mail adds that there is another position Villa want to reinforce – left-back.
And it’s clear to see why. Welsh international Neil Taylor is the only natural left-back in Villa’s squad and, when he picked up a three-game suspension earlier this season, the right-sided Alan Hutton was forced to switch flanks due to a lack of alternatives.
Youngsters Mitchell Clark and Oscar Borg have plenty of potential but it appears that they are not yet in Bruce’s first-team plans.
In truth, it can be argued that Villa never adequately replaced Jordan Amavi after his summer move to Marseille. And while Amavi’s exit was unavoidable, it’s tempting to wonder whether Villa should have kept hold of Aly Cissokho as a back-up option rather than sell him to Turkish side Yeni Malatyaspor in August.
The Frenchman is finding form again in the Super Lig, setting up a goal in the 2-1 win over Galatasaray at the weekend.
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