Unai Emery demands signing in key position at Aston Villa – with 4 options already shortlisted

Aston Villa‘s new manager Unai Emery has reportedly identified one particular position he will be prioritising to strengthen in the upcoming January window. The former Arsenal head coach, who arrived at Villa Park last month to replace the sacked Steven Gerrard, is likely to dip into the transfer market for some reinforcements.

Emery has now had around five weeks to get to know his players and he will get another couple yet as the World Cup is still playing out over in Qatar. The break in the Premier League season has allowed the new Villa boss to have longer to evaluate the current crop at the club before playing any more matches.

He has of course led Villa out on three occasions already, having won two successive league games - against Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion - and lost to the Red Devils in the Carabao Cup. It was a strong start for Emery, but the break arguably came at a good time as he has been able to work out exactly which areas need improving most.

That is exactly what he has done, according to the Daily Express. The outlet claims Emery has pointed out the wide forward role as an area of priority this winter, and this doesn’t come as too much of a surprise given how important the position is for the 51-year-old’s preferred system.

Emery tends to operate with two deep-lying midfielders as it enables his full-backs to bomb up the touchline, but also as it helps give the inside forwards freedom to roam. Emery wants to make a marquee signing in this position even despite the fact the likes of Leon Bailey, Philippe Coutinho, Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings are already at the club.

Four options already shortlisted

With the January window just under four weeks away, it is only natural for the Villans to already have some options lined up as potential signings. Citing a variety of recent reports, there are four particular individuals who have been pointed out as players of interest - and they all tick the ‘marquee’ box for Emery.

Marcus Thuram

Villa are one of the multiple clubs interested in signing Thuram, with the Borussia Monchengladbach striker available for just €10 million (£8.6 million) according to Fabrizio Romano via the House of Champions. His contract expires in the summer but as there are so many teams interested a January move may be the only option.

Matheus Cunha

Another player targeted is Atletico Madrid winger Cunha, as per the Daily Express, but the Lions need to move quickly. Wolves are already in for the Brazilian and Villa would need to move soon to hijack a. deal. “Negotiations between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Atletico Madrid will continue for both Matheus Cunha and Felipe,” Fabrizio Romano tweeted on Monday morning.

Yeremy Pino

There are plenty of Premier League clubs eager to sign Spanish striker Yeremy Pino, but the Villans could have an edge as Emery has already built up a relationship with him from his time at Villarreal. Yeremy has a £68 million release clause, as reported by CaughtOffside.

Samuel Chukwueze

Villa have a ‘concrete interest’ in Samuel Chukwueze - another of Emery’s former players at Villarreal - and he is one of a few options the Lions are looking at to bring more pace on the flanks. Football Insider reports Chukwueze is a top target due to his versatility across the entire forward line.