Aston Villa analysis: Five players Aston Villa should sign and sell in the 2025 January transfer window
It has been 13 days since the January transfer window opened and the rumour mill is at a constant merry-go-round.
After beating West Ham 2-1 in the FA Cup and progressing into the fourth round, Unai Emery will be hard at work behind the scenes to bring in some fresh faces.
In a brand new series, Transfer News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce has explored five incomings and outgoings Aston Villa should make this month to have a successful transfer window.
SIGN, Marco Asensio
According to reports, Aston Villa are targeting out-of-favour Paris Saint-Germain forward Marco Asensio.
The French club are said to be open to allowing the Spanish player to leave this window after having a bit part role in the team.
The right winger has made 15 appearances for PSG so far this season, scoring two goals and providing four assists in 748 minutes, playing in a similar false nine position to which Emery likes to use Morgan Rogers.
If Aston Villa can lure Asensio to Birmingham, it will be interesting to see what position he will be used in, especially as Jaden Philogene edges towards a move to Ipswich Town.
Emery has improved multiple players over the years, and utilising Asensio in his natural position on the right flank might be the best option for both him and Leon Bailey.
There has not been enough competition on the right-hand side for Aston Villa for some time, but Asensio will be able to use his quality and experience from his time at Real Madrid and PSG to battle for the position.
The fear for the Villa higher-ups would be for the Spaniard to not hit the ground running at Villa Park, and leave another luxury player, such as Philipe Coutinho, on high wages.
SELL, Diego Carlos
Aston Villa are reportedly ready to offload the Brazilian centre-back in the January transfer window, with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe waiting in the wings.
The 31-year-old defender was linked with a move away from Villa Park last summer and is now edging closer to leaving the club.
Reports suggest that Fenerbahçe have proposed a deal worth £10million for Diego Carlos, which is expected to be finalised before the transfer window closes.
The central defender has been a good signing for Aston Villa, helping to elevate the Villans’ defence with his experience in European competitions with Sevilla.
He has since fallen down the pecking order at Villa under Emery, who is looking to bolster his defensive options.
The West Midlands club is low down in defensive standings, having only made 137 interceptions in 20 games - an average of 6.85 per game, meaning that position is an area for improvement for the Spanish manager.
SIGN, Oscar Mingueza
Oscar Mingueza might be an unknown quantity for some Aston Villa fans, but the Spanish defender has played a similar role to Ezri Konsa for Celta Vigo this season.
The traditional centre-back has been transformed into a right-back this season and has been enjoying life out wide, running up and down the wing.
The 25-year-old has already exceeded his goal contributions from last season, scoring two goals and providing five assists from the right-hand side.
Mingeza is known for his great passing in the final third and doesn’t mind a shot from distance, either.
Aston Villa’s sporting director Monchi was at Celta Vigo’s 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano in the Spain international’s last match.
According to reports, the West Midlands club are ready to pay Mingueza’s £20million release clause, however, two other clubs are said to be interested, meaning the English club faces some healthy competition from abroad.
If Villa can get this signing over the line, it would allow Konza to play back in his natural position in central defence, after spending most of his time under Emery at right-back.
From 18 starts this season, Mingueza has made 66 crosses, averaging four per game, and has won 3.27 duels per 90 minutes.
SELL, Robin Olsen
Swedish international, Robin Olsen, has spent the last two-and-a-half years at Aston Villa after joining from Italian side Roma in 2022, to become the club’s second-choice goalkeeper behind Emiliano Martinez.
Overall the 35-year-old has been a good and reliable signing for the Villans, showing his decent shot-stopping skills when called upon.
Olsen has been linked with a move to Swedish giants Malmo, which will see him go back to his native country.
The goalkeeper’s poor ball distribution and mistakes might have been identified by Emery, which could be a reason why Villa are looking to move Olsen on in January.
Aston Villa have scored multiple goals as a direct result of Martinez picking out a good pass, however the same can’t be said for when Olsen is on the pitch.
It will be intriguing to see if Emery looks to bring in a younger goalkeeper in the future, who has similar attributes to the Argentine.
SIGN, Tidiam Gomis
Aston Villa are closing in on a deal to sign highly rated 18-year-old Caen striker Tidiam Gomis.
The Premier League side will want to wrap the deal up swiftly and may plan to send the attacker back on loan to the French club for the rest of the season.
The France youth international has risen through the ranks at the Stade Michel-d’Ornano and has become a key player at Caen since making his debut in 2023.
Gomis has bagged two goals and provided a further two assists so far in Ligue 2 this season.
Emery could look to transform the youngster's game to resemble that of Jhon Duran, with the Frenchman able to play anywhere across the front line, especially favouring the left wing.
Duran has been linked with a move away to French giants PSG, so the Villans could have a ready-made replacement in place if that happens.
Follow all the latest January window rumours and deals with Transfer News Blitz, and follow us on BlueSky as we continue to tell it like it is when it comes to transfer talk.
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