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Ranking Aston Villa’s Biggest January 2018 Transfer Needs

By Josh Tonti

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Aston Villa Manager Dean Smith looks on ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa at The Hawthorns on December 7, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Aston Villa Manager Dean Smith looks on ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa at The Hawthorns on December 7, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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OSLO, NORWAY – OCTOBER 15: Orjan Nyland of Norway during training before the UEFA Nations League C group three match between Norway and Bulgaria at Ullevaal Stadion on October 15, 2018 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Trond Tandberg/Getty Images)
OSLO, NORWAY – OCTOBER 15: Orjan Nyland of Norway during training before the UEFA Nations League C group three match between Norway and Bulgaria at Ullevaal Stadion on October 15, 2018 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Trond Tandberg/Getty Images) /

2a. and 2b. A #1 goalkeeper and a long-term option at centre-back

2a: #1 Goalkeeper

Importance: High

Attainability: Fairly Easy

2b: Long-term option at centre-back

Importance: High

Attainability: Moderately Difficult

Ørjan Nyland has not been up to the required standards for a promotion-contending club. He has dropped far too many points this season for Aston Villa. As recently as one week ago in the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion, Nyland partially caused two points to slip away.

Villa have a goalkeeper on-loan in 23-year-old André Moreira, but he can’t even get in the squad as deputy over Mark Bunn. Smith and Villa goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler have probably already made a decision. If they choose an external option, Burnley’s Tom Heaton and Newcastle’s Karl Darlow have been rumored in recent weeks and seem available.

Conversely, a reserve centre-back is crucial depending on Smith’s view of James Bree as a developmental player. Mile Jedinak is injured again, and not really an ideal option for the position. He’s also a free agent at season’s end.

James Collins, a free agent training with Villa, is hurt for the second time. It’s beginning to look like he won’t be offered a deal. In any case, he won’t be with Villa by season’s end.

A young-ish centre-back (preferably left-footed) offers competition and injury cover for James Chester and Axel Tuanzebe. The latter of whom is a loan signing, while the former has just 1.5 years running on his deal. Like the left-back situation, if Smith doesn’t sign one in January, he will definitely sign one or two in the summer.

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