With the January transfer window in full swing, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has provided a clear insight into his plans to bolster the squad before the deadline. Speaking to talkSPORT, the Villa boss expressed confidence in his current players but confirmed active work is underway to secure new additions, specifically highlighting the need for attacking reinforcements.
Emery's Faith in the Squad and Transfer Admission
Unai Emery began by praising the group at his disposal, stating he is "so happy with the players we have" and referencing their ability to perform despite challenges over recent seasons. However, he was unequivocal about the need for fresh faces, confirming the club is "going to work in the next days to add and join some players with us because we will need for the rest of the season."
This balanced view underscores a manager content with his core but pragmatic about the demands of a long campaign. Emery directly addressed the club's transfer activity, revealing: "The club is working on it. The people with this responsibility are trying to add information about possibilities." He added that Villa are ready to act "in case we can improve the squad" and are also "alert" for any potential departures.
The Clear Priority: A New Central Striker
The most definitive part of Emery's comments centred on a specific position. With the departure of loanee Donyell Malen, who along with Marcus Rashford joined last January, a gap has emerged. Emery explicitly stated the club's priority is to find "someone as a central striker, with the characteristics as a striker, to compete with Watkins or maybe even play with him."
He framed this as continuing a established strategy, saying: "We need the same situation we had the last three years: one player competing with Watkins." This search is driven by the need for squad depth and numbers, especially after Malen's exit. Emery's history shows a pattern of using the January window to address attacking options, making this year's pursuit a consistent part of his squad-building philosophy.
Context and Looking Ahead
Emery's remarks, made on 20 January 2026, come at a crucial juncture in the transfer period. His acknowledgment that the current squad "for now it is enough" suggests no panic, but a calculated and targeted approach to recruitment. The focus remains squarely on bringing in a player who can either challenge Ollie Watkins for the starting role or provide a credible alternative, ensuring Villa's attacking threat is sustained throughout the season.
The manager's transparency indicates plans are in motion behind the scenes at Bodymoor Heath. While he retains full faith in the group that has served him well, Unai Emery and Aston Villa's recruitment team are actively seeking the final piece to complete their January business, with a new centre-forward at the top of their wish list.
