Unai Emery issues rare Aston Villa transfer hint following Arsenal defeat

Unai Emery has hinted Villa will conduct more transfer business before next Friday’s deadline, recognising an issue highlighted during Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal.

The Villans suffered defeat on their Premier League return to Villa Park, made to rue two big missed chances from the usually clinical Ollie Watkins. Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey were contrastingly ruthless in front of goal, securing the Gunners three vital points.

For Villa, insult was added to injury - quite literally - by the enforced withdrawal of Matty Cash in the 15th minute. Emery confirmed after the match that the right-back felt something in his hamstring and had to be withdrawn.

The substitution emphasised Villa’s lack of depth on the right-hand side of defence as the inexperienced Kosta Nedeljkovic was thrown in at the deep end. The 18-year-old impressed in pre-season but the majority of minutes in a tie against Premier League title challengers is an entirely different kettle of finish.

In the end, Nedeljkovic unsurprisingly displayed signs of naïvety. The Serbian was often caught ball-watching and crucially didn’t spot the genius run from Trossard for Arsenal’s opening goal.

In theory, the problem could’ve been easily avoided had Diego Carlos been brought on as Cash’s replacement instead. But that would’ve meant moving Ezri Konsa across to right-back, and Emery is determined to keep the England international central.

Unai Emery hints Aston Villa could sign new defender

There’s a clear need, then, for a new recruit in defence before the end of the transfer window. Surely, right?

Well, that’s exactly what Birmingham World asked Emery in the post-match press conference and the manager’s response implied there could well be some transfer activity to look forward to.

“We are trying to be demanding how we can improve the squad, how we can improve some circumstances,” Emery admitted.

“Maybe we will need time to be stronger and this week we are going to analyse if there’s something we can add.”

It’s understood that Villa still have funds to spend, even despite a quiet recent couple of weeks in the market. The pockets aren’t overly deep, though, so care and time must be taken to ensure the correct choices are made.