Areas that Aston Villa’s Premier League rivals have failed to strengthen in the January transfer window

The arrival of Steven Gerrard has allowed Aston Villa to bring in some excellent signings in Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne and Calum Chambers.

The team is looking a lot stronger as they look to impress in the final months of the Premier League campaign - currently sitting eleventh in the table.

The likes of Brighton, Wolves and Crystal Palace will all be battling Villa for a top half finish, while Leeds United and Everton are both hoping for a more successful second half of the season.

The West Midlands club have certainly enjoyed a better transfer window than most of their rivals, which could give them the advantage.

Here are the areas that some of Villa’s league rivals failed to strengthen this month...

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton currently sit in nineth - four points above Villa.

The Seagulls enjoyed a brilliant start to the season but have fallen off slightly as they struggle to score goals - with one of the worst goal tallies in the league.

Despite links to several striking options including Ben Brereton Diaz, Brighton still haven’t brought in an extra forward and could regret not bolstering their ranks if nothing changes before tonight’s deadline.

Graham Potter’s side also saw the Aaron Connolly leave on loan, leaving them to rely on Neal Maupay and injury-prone Danny Welbeck for goals.

Wolves

Wolves have impressed this season and currently only sit two points away from a European football spot.

However, like Brighton, Bruno Lage’s side have struggled for goals, with only Norwich City scoring less this season.

While the Midlands club have made Hwang hee-chan’s stay at Molineux a permanent one, they are yet to bring in another recognised striker.

Raul Jimenez and Hwang Hee-Chan currently have only eight goals in all competitions between them.

Wolves are also yet to bolster their midfield and are currently still relying on some of the same midfielders that saw them promoted from the Championship in 2018.

Leicester City

Leicester City have struggled this season and will be hoping to improve in the coming months.

The Foxes have conceded the most goals in the top half of the Premier League and, with Wesley Fofana still out injured, the club are still in need for a new defender.

Leicester are yet to make a signing this month, though one positive is that they have managed to keep hold of Youri Tielemans.

Leeds United

Leeds United endured a poor first half of the campaign and suffered a number of injuries.

The Whites have been forced to play a very weak starting XI on a number of occasions and it was thought that they would bring in some new players to bolster their squad depth.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side would have ideally brought in players in all three areas of the pitch - in particular a striker and a midfielder - however they are yet to make a single signing.

The Yorkshire club have had an underwhelming transfer window and could suffer for the rest of the season as a result.