As transfer windows go, January went incredibly well for Aston Villa as Unai Emery added depth and quality in necessary areas, all while making a substantial profit at the very same time.
Villa made five new first-team recruits during the winter, whereas the likes of Jhon Duran and Jaden Philogene departed to more than balance the books. In fact, the departures of just those two players brought in an astonishing £87 million, only a small portion of which was needed.
Emery, Monchi and co were very intelligent in their dealings to secure three loanees for cut prices, one of whom could sign permanently in the summer if all goes to plan. The other two additions, meanwhile, cost just £28 million between them and they are both likely to play an important part this campaign.
There are still areas to address in the summer with Emery eager to add another central defender and potentially a forward player if the loanees don’t have the desired impact. The squad’s looking in good shape as it is, though, with Villa set up superbly to compete for the Premier League top four and to progress far in the UEFA Champions League.
But what does the strongest lineup look like? Following an intense and exhilarating transfer window, here’s how Villa could line up when fully fit:

1. The World Cup winner is still one of the best goalkeepers on the planet and is irreplaceable.
GK - Emiliano Martinez | Getty Images

2. It's perhaps not his best position but Konsa has to get in this team and there's lots of competition at centre-half. Matty Cash and Andres Garcia just about miss out.
RB - Ezri Konsa | Wolves via Getty Images
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3. Signed on loan from Chelsea for a significant £5m fee, Disasi is a player Emery believes in. He's likely to start throughout Pau's absence.
CB - Axel Disasi | Getty Images

4. When fit, Pau is probably the best centre-back at the football club. Emery has admitted it'll still be several weeks until we see the Spaniard back but he'll slot straight back in upon his return.
CB - Pau Torres | AFP via Getty Images