As we head towards the January transfer window, Villa are in huge need of signings, if they have a chance of surviving, after a dreadful one victory, in 19 league games.
The Villans now find themselves 11 points from safety, and have little chance of survival, with a lack of performances off the players and a lack of points.
However, Villa do have another 19 games to turn it around, and the January transfer window will be make or break for Villa in the Premier League.
In my opinion, Villa need to recruit in a number of positions, but I analyse the positions which are the most important for Villa to recruit in.
Remi Garde will have a huge test to land the right signings, though, as the potential lack of funds to buy players and the question of if some players would be willing to join a club who are sitting bottom of the table and have only picked up eight points this season as well.
Garde does have some players in the squad who I feel have enough quality to be in the side, but he remains to leave them on the bench, or even completely out of the squad.
YouTube: Aston Villa Vs Birmingham 1-0 – Rudy Gestede Goal & Match Highlights – September 22 2015 – [HD]
Full-back issues
First of all, the full-back position desperately needs improving. It is shameful, on how many individual mistakes Alan Hutton has made, he has cost Villa goals and points this season.
He can make charging runs down the line, but he seems out of position far too many times, he is also too impatient in tackles, and has just made so many silly mistakes this season, Remi Garde has to sign someone at right-back, to replace him.
I have heard strong rumours of Mathieu Debuchy, but nothing concrete rumour wise, who I am confident would be a good signing for Villa.
He has been impressive in the Premier League with Newcastle and Arsenal, and as this season he has got replaced by future starlet Hector Bellerin, at Arsenal, I cannot see why Villa can’t land the French international on a loan, until the end of the season.
Another right-back who Villa could land is Sam Byram from Leeds. Byram has rejected a contract extension by Leeds and is undecided on his future. Byram could be looking further than a side like Villa, and for a club like Southampton or West Ham instead, but if Villa could land the 22-year-old, he would be some signing, as he defends well, but can also create a number of chances too for his side.
Left-back has been another catastrophe since the long-term injury that Jordan Amavi picked up. It was such a shame that the French U21 international is out for the rest of the season, and has left a big hole in the defence, since his absence.
Leandro Bacuna has been filling in for him, but Bacuna isn’t a natural left-back, and with his dire performances, he has shown that. Kieran Richardson is another option at left-back, but the 31-year-old looks like he is past his sell-by-date, and he isn’t good enough to play Premier League football no more.
I would love to see the arrival of Hull City left-back, Andrew Robertson, who has been a class act in the Championship, since Hull’s relegation last season. However, he is a crucial player for the side, and Hull boss Steve Bruce won’t let him leave for a bargain.
Another option is Leeds United prodigy, Charlie Taylor, who has broken into the first-team, and has shown some impressive displays. Although, Garde may look for more experience, as Taylor is only 22-years-old, and he could be too naïve for a relegation-threatened side.
If Garde would want experience, there is no doubt that Ashley Cole would provide that. Cole would be an excellent signing in my eyes, and a six-month loan deal would really bolster Villa’s defence, for the second half of the season.
Midfield
I would also like to see a defensive midfielder arrive in January. Villa have been too weak in midfield and the supposed playmakers like Westwood haven’t played their roles this season, with miss control and a poor range of passing.
Carlos Sanchez does play a big role just in front of the back four, but Villa don’t have anyone else who can do that job. Sanchez can be too inconsistent at times, and another addition in the ball-winning midfielder role would be perfect for Villa.
Garde has gone with Ashley Westwood, Jordan Veretout and Idrissa Gueye as well as Sanchez in the midfield, but the quality doesn’t seem to be there by Gueye and especially Westwood. Veretout has improved as the season has gone on, and he would be a part of my midfield for Villa, but they need a strong and physical ball-winner in their too.
A midfielder such as Leroy Fer or Cheikou Kouyate would be the type Villa need, but whether Garde feels that centre-midfield needs to improve, is another question.
Going forward
Villa do have a number of creative players and attacking midfielders to produce chances, but only Jordan Ayew has sprung as a finisher for the side.
Rudy Gestede looked to be the answer to replace the goalscoring touch Villa lost with Christian Benteke, but he has failed to show signs of that. Gestede has been a disappointment.
Charlie Austin would be a perfect fit, and would give most fans the belief that they have every chance to stay up, if he started to fire the goals in, but it would be tough to land the QPR forward, as like a number of players, he may not want to join a relegation threatened side.
“I set out at the start [of the season] and I said to Les [Ferdinand, QPR’s director of football] that I’m going to be here for the rest of the season,” Austin told Sky Sports.
Another likely signing could be Steven Naismith who is unhappy at Everton and is looking elsewhere. He isn’t in the same league as Austin for centre-forward quality, but Naismith could be a bargain for Villa, and I would welcome the Scotsman into the side.
