The latest Aston Villa transfer news as Unai Emery speaks openly ahead of the January window.

Unai Emery has admitted Aston Villa are open to conducting transfer business in the upcoming January window, though there are limitations as to how much can be spent.

Villa, on an 11-game winning streak, have matched a club record last set in 1914 and are currently by far the most in-form team in Europe’s top five leagues. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement, especially when led by a perfectionist such as Emery.

All speak of a title race has been blocked out by the head coach, who believes there are several teams ahead of Villa. Emery, who only a few months ago was overseeing a team with just one goal in its opening five Premier League games, insists there can be little talk of a title fight until the very end of the season.

The fact is, though, that Villa are very much in the battle at the halfway stage. And if some effective business can be done next month, then their chances of defeating the odds to beat the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City will only increase.

Emery admits Villa ‘working’ on transfers

With an opportunity to challenge on the horizon, Villa are doing all they can behind the scenes to be as ready as possible for January. Of course, the focus of Emery and others has mainly been on improving their remarkable purple patch on the field, but some attention has also been on transfers.

“We are alert,” Emery admitted ahead of Villa’s trip to Arsenal. “The club is working and if we can sign someone to help us and improve on something we need, we will do it.

“With the players we have, it is enough to compete because we are showing it the first four months. But for the second half of the season, with the same players, of course we can improve.”

Villa still limited amid £35m Serie A claim

Transfer speculation has been rife in anticipation of the January window, with countless rumours already circulating. One story which has done the rounds this week is Villa’s interest in Bologna striker Santiago Castro.

According to reports in Italy, the Serie A prospect is available for around £35 million. Villa, eager to improve their forward options, are said to be in the race along with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.

But is it realistic to spend that much on one player? Especially when Villa were only able to commit to one big-money deal in the summer, to sign Evann Guessand?

“We can sign players, only we can’t spend a lot. But we can do something, of course,” Emery added, providing some handy context. “Maybe as well changing someone. Last year we signed four players in January and let others leave. We are in the same situation now.

“Of course, how we are competing in the Europa League, we want to try to be a protagonist and hopefully a way for a trophy now. In the Premier League, two months ago, we couldn’t speak like we are now as we were in a different situation. Now we want to be ambitious to achieve our objective,” Emery concluded.