The latest transfer news as Aston Villa eye a potential deal at Newcastle United.

Aston Villa reportedly remain interested in signing Newcastle United forward William Osula this January following a failed approach in the summer transfer window.

The Villans have been on a tremendous run of form lately, winning 11 successive matches across all competitions before their 4-1 defeat at Arsenal, though Unai Emery is still a little short of attackers. Ollie Watkins had struggled for form ahead of his brace away at Chelsea on December 27 and Donyell Malen has been hot and cold, so a reinforcement could be handy.

Villa are still walking a fine line when it comes to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) but Emery is hopeful at least some business can be done this winter. The Villans have already got a £10.5 million deal over the line for promising Gremio winger Alysson and Leon Bailey could be sold to recoup some funds if his loan at AS Roma is cut short.

Aston Villa ‘paying attention’ to in-demand Newcastle star

Newcastle’s Osula has been on Emery’s radar for some time, and it appears he remains so. The 22-year-old, who has played just 213 minutes in the Premier League so far this campaign, has fallen down the pecking order at St. James’ Park following the acquisitions of Nick Woltemade and Yoanne Wissa, so he could be available.

Villa could try to reignite the start of Osula’s English top-flight career, as Mail Sport reports they are ‘paying attention’ to his situation. The same publication reported in the summer that Eintracht Frankfurt saw a £27.5 million bid rejected for Osula, while Villa are said to have attempted - and failed - to sign him.

Signed from Sheffield United in August 2024 for a reported £15 million, the young Denmark international has plenty of potential to tap into. Osula is certainly yet to realise said potential, as he has only started once in the Premier League since signing for Newcastle, though Villa believe it could be unlocked in B6.

How would Osula fit in at Villa?

If Osula were to arrive through the doors at Villa Park, he likely wouldn’t earn a starting spot right away. In fact, it would probably take quite some time before he’d take too many minutes away from the likes of Watkins and Malen.

But what joining Villa could offer Osula is a fresh start, and his acquisition would give Emery the attacking depth he has been yearning for. It’s arguably better to have a younger, less experienced player as a backup anyway, as he’d be less likely to throw up a fuss about a lack of immediate game time.

Now, one major factor to consider is the potential asking price. Considering Newcastle reportedly rejected a £27.5 million bid from Frankfurt, the Magpies would surely be looking for Villa to at least get close. That would be quite the risk for any club, but particularly for the Villans given their precarious financial situation.

Should Villa bite the bullet and sign Osula? Or should Emery’s attention be elsewhere? Let us know in the comments section below.