2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (John Townley)
Aston Villa's president of football operations Monchi is putting plans in place ahead of the January transfer window, which opens in six weeks' time. Unai Emery's side will play another 10 matches before January 1, including two Champions League matches. Villa made an excellent start to the season, winning five of their first nine league matches, while they also claimed victory in their first three Champions League fixtures.
But after losing four on the bounce for the first time under Emery before the November international break, some issues have been exposed. Only one point off third, there's no panic at Bodymoor Heath and the January window - although it's expected to be a quiet month of trading - provides a chance to freshen up the squad. READ | Villa Park redevelopment latest - £400m plan, train station upgrades and more seats READ | Nassef Sawiris handed Aston Villa blow as Premier League release statement Here are some items in Monchi's in-tray heading towards January.
.. Diego Carlos' future The centre-back courted interest from a number of Premier League clubs in the summer, but a move never materialised.
Fulham firmed up their interest, while Crystal Palace were also linked. Wolves, meanwhile, considered an approach towards the end of the window. Villa were ready to push for Lutsharel Geertruida in the final days of the window if Carlos had departed.
Instead, the Dutch international signed for RB Leipzig and Carlos remained at Villa. After not featuring in Villa's first four Premier League games, Carlos has started five of Villa's last seven. He also impressed in the memorable 1-0 win over Bayern Munich at Villa Park.
He will turn 32 in March and is due to enter the final year of his contract in the summer, meaning his value will continue to decrease. A possible transfer would allow Villa to add a new player to their Champions League squad, which is currently full. Carlos still has an important role to play in the team as Ezri Konsa is often used at right-back, and the Brazilian is the only other senior right-sided centre-back in the squad.
Emi Buendia's chances Emi Buendia missed last season through an ACL injury and needs game time to build his confidence back up. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have many chances to do that at Villa at the moment. There's plenty of competition for places in his position and it would appear that only something of an injury crisis would open the door for the 27-year-old to get a run of games.
He hasn't been introduced off the bench before the 80th minute in a league game so far this season and has only made four substitute appearances. Like Carlos, a move for Buendia - be it loan or permanent - would open up a chance for Villa to add fresh quality to their ranks. Offloading at least a portion of wages could also be beneficial.
It's key that Buendia is playing football after suffering his devastating injury blow last season, but if he doesn't feature regularly in what will be the busiest period of the campaign before the January window opens, then a loan move could be worthwhile for all parties. Rory Wilson problem The young striker appears destined to leave Villa as he is yet to commit his future to the club. It is understood Villa have submitted several five-year contract offers to Wilson, whose current deal expires in the summer.
The 18-year-old joined Villa from Rangers in the summer of 2022 and is regarded as one of the club's most promising youngsters. He bagged 51 goals at youth level for the Scottish giants before his move south of the border. Wilson then scored 15 goals for Villa's under-18s and under-21s in 2022/23, before hitting another 19 last term.
As Wilson's deal runs out next summer, clubs would be able to negotiate terms with him from January 1, four days before he turns 19 years of age. Wilson has no shortage of interest with at least 15 clubs believed to be keeping tabs on his future. It's important that Villa pin him down on a new deal, but there are believed to be concerns from Wilson's camp over his pathway into the first-team.
If Villa fail to sign him on a new contract and he leaves to a foreign club, they'd receive a small compensation payment. Villa would be entitled to €270,000 if a foreign category one academy club signed him, paid in three instalments of €90,000. A category two academy club would pay a total of €160,000.
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