Villa want a centre-back, but they could also lose players next month.
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith will get the opportunity to add players to his side for the first time since taking over at Villa Park from Steve Bruce in October – but he may also lose a couple too.
It is believed a centre-back will be at the top of the list for the ex-Brentford manager, with only Axel Tuanzebe and James Chester currently filled in those holes. A left-back could be on the agenda too.
But players could also leave the Midlands club. Here are the three most likely exits from Villa Park in January.
Henri Lansbury
Less than 100 minutes of football this season, the 28-year-old midfielder has fallen down the pecking order at Villa as injuries continue to take their toll.
Signed by Bruce in January 2017 for £2.75million from Nottingham Forest (BBC Sport), Lansbury is behind the likes of John McGinn, Conor Hourihane, Birkir Bjarnason, Mile Jedinak and Glenn Whelan. A loan in January might be on the cards.
Andre Moreira
With Villa sealing a deal for goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic, Villa loanee Moreira may consider his season-long spell with the Championship side – after managing just two Carabao Cup appearances all season.
Orjan Nyland has been somewhat dodgy between the sticks but is likely to remain number two, with Kalinic over the line and signed. But only on loan, being a third goalkeeper makes Moreira surplus to requirements.
Jake Doyle-Hayes
HITC Sport claimed earlier this month that Doyle-Hayes is a target for many English clubs on loan, and with many central midfielders ahead of him in the pecking order as aforementioned, a loan is likely to be orchestrated.
The 19-year-old has made one appearance for the club’s first team this season, in the narrow 1-0 win over Yeovil Town, but in order to aid his development, he needs first-team football and a loan would be perfect for him.
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