Semenyo signed, Man Utd target joins: Aston Villa's possible starting XI after January that can challenge for Champions League spot
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has the chance to bring in some new faces to bolster his ranks in the January transfer window
Aston Villa will have their sights set on getting back into the Champions League this season. They missed out in the last campaign and had to settle for the Europa League. The Midlands outfit hit some form before the international break and will be eager to keep their momentum going.
Unai Emery was picked as their head coach back in 2022 following their decision to part ways with Steven Gerrard. He has since done an impressive job at Villa Park, having previously managed the likes of PSG, Arsenal and Villarreal. Here is a look at how his starting XI could line-up after the January transfer window...
Aston Villa new-look goalkeeper and defence
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez has been their number one since his move from Arsenal back in 2020. He was linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer but nothing materialised on that front in the end. The Argentina international won the World Cup back in 2022 in Qatar.
Matty Cash likes to get up and down the right flank and get involved in attacks. On the other side, Emery’s side have been credited with an interest with Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown, as per CaughtOffside. He has one cap to his name for the Germany national team and has bags of potential at the age of 22.
Ezri Konsa has become a key player for both Aston Villa and England over recent times. Galatasaray’s Wilfried Singo could line up next to him in the heart of the backline instead of Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings if reports are true. Sabah claim he has emerged on the radar, despite only moving to Turkey earlier this year from AS Monaco.
Aston Villa midfield and attack
Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn has been in impressive form so far this term. The Scotsman has three goals to his name already. He dropped down the border to England back in 2018 following spells at St Mirren and Hibernian and he hasn’t looked back since.
CaughtOffside report Brentford midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk is on Emery’s radar. The likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli have been credited with an interest in him too. He has been a key player for the Bees over recent times and they could face a battle to keep him.
Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins should keep their place in the team going forward. They are both key players and will be eager to hit some form over the coming weeks. The latter has recently picked up a fresh injury worry on international duty with England. Donyell Malen should also get the nod after scoring twice against Burnley.
Elsewhere in attack, AFC Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has been one of the standout players in the division recently and would be ideal. TBR Football have suggested that he is wanted by Aston Villa but they face competition from the likes of Spurs and United again, with Manchester City also mentioned as a potential suitor.
Aston Villa dream starting XI after January transfer window: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Singo, Brown; McGinn, Yarmolyuk; Rogers, Malen, Semenyo; Watkins