Unai Emery's Aston Villa are actively pursuing midfield reinforcements during the January transfer window, with their squad depth being severely tested by a growing injury list. This follows a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Everton, which saw Villa miss a crucial opportunity to climb to second place in the Premier League table.
Villa's Midfield Crisis Sparks Transfer Activity
The defeat at Goodison Park highlighted significant concerns within the Villa camp. Manager Unai Emery openly expressed his frustration, stating he could feel the "squad depth is not there". This issue has been exacerbated by fresh injuries to key players, casting a shadow over their impressive campaign.
Injury Woes Mount for Key Players
The situation has become increasingly dire in midfield. Club captain John McGinn picked up a knock during the Everton match, adding his name to an already lengthy absentee list. Crucially, Boubacar Kamara is now expected to miss the remainder of the season after further scans confirmed the severity of a knee injury.
This leaves Villa without several pivotal figures, with Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley also facing significant spells on the treatment table. The cumulative effect of these setbacks has forced the club's recruitment team into urgent action during the final days of the transfer window.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek Emerges as Primary Target
In response to this crisis, Aston Villa have reportedly identified AC Milan's English midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek as a key target. According to widespread reports, including those from the Daily Telegraph, the former Chelsea player is high on Villa's list of potential acquisitions.
The potential move for Loftus-Cheek is directly linked to fears over Kamara's long-term absence. The French international's expected sidelining for the final 16 Premier League games of the season has created an immediate need for experienced cover in the engine room.
Villa Monitoring Adam Wharton's Situation
Beyond immediate fixes, Villa are also planning for the future. The club is said to be among several Premier League sides closely monitoring the situation of Crystal Palace's highly-rated midfielder, Adam Wharton.
Despite having over three years remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park, speculation persists that Palace have accepted they may lose their star man. Wharton's agent has previously outlined the player's ambition to join a top club to enhance his England prospects, making a summer move increasingly likely.
However, Villa face stiff competition for his signature. Reports from TeamTalk indicate that Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United are all keeping tabs on the talented England international, setting the stage for a potential bidding war.
Further Transfer Rumours and Speculation
The search for reinforcements appears to extend beyond the midfield. The Athletic reports that Villa have also expressed an interest in Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta. The French striker is understood to be one of multiple attacking options under consideration, alongside former Villa player Tammy Abraham.
In a related development, there are suggestions that Palace could look to facilitate a deal by pursuing a move for Villa's young forward Evann Guessand, a player they were linked with last summer.
Speculation Surrounds Emi Martinez's Future
While focusing on incomings, there is also speculation regarding a key departure. Sky Sports reports that Inter Milan have begun exploring the conditions for a potential summer move for Villa's World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Emi Martinez.
The Argentine is reportedly on a shortlist of experienced goalkeepers being considered to replace Yann Sommer at the San Siro. This comes after a proposed move to Manchester United collapsed during the previous summer window. Martinez remains under contract at Villa Park until 2029, giving the club a strong negotiating position.
As the January window enters its final phase, Aston Villa's activity in the transfer market will be crucial in determining whether they can sustain their challenge for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification amidst this mounting injury crisis.
