Aston Villa confirm three deadline day deals in single announcement - as busy evening expected

Aston Villa have confirmed three done deals in a single announcement - their first club statement of the January deadline day so far. Two of the transfers were somewhat expected, with plenty of speculation throughout the morning and early afternoon, but another has come largely out of the blue.

The first key point made is a return of a loan player, Bertrand Traore, who was at Turkish side Basaksehir. The Burkino Faso international is injured at the moment but he is set to undergo a rehabilitation process and join up with the senior squad in due course. Unai Emery is said to rate the player highly.

With one player back from loan, two others have departed the Villa Park doors on a temporary basis. Zimbabwean central midfielder Marvelous Nakamba and creative playmaker Aaron Ramsey have made moves to Luton Town and Middlesbrough respectively. It is hoped they can gather game time in the Championship.

The Villans confirmed all three deals in a statement that reads: “Aston Villa can confirm Bertrand Traoré has been recalled from his loan spell at İstanbul Başakşehir. Also, we are wishing the best to Marvelous Nakamba, who has joined Luton Town on loan, and Aaron Ramsey, who has joined Middlesbrough, both for the rest of the season.”

Meanwhile, Villa in last-ditch effort to sign marquee midfielder

In other Aston Villa news, last-minute negotiations are reportedly underway to sign Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Houssem Aouar. Emery is said to not be done with his transfer dealings as the deadline approaches, with Villa apparently turning to Aouar after a move for Matteo Guendouzi failed.

According to Football Insider, there has been contact with Lyon over a potential loan deal for Aouar. Villa are expected to “face competition from rival clubs”, but may have the upper hand as the pull of their new manager is very strong.

Aouar has never left Lyon, as he came through their academy, but with just eight Ligue 1 appearances to his name this season it may be time to try a new challenge. In 224 games across all competitions, Aouar has scored 41 goals and contributed 35 assists for Lyon.

With just under seven hours to go until the transfer deadline at the time of publication, Villa will have to get a move on if they want to complete a deal. Stranger things have happened on deadline days, though, so this could well be one to watch.