While a couple of Championship clubs have already done some business in January window, most notably Wolves signing Valencia striker Rafa Mir from Valencia and Preston singing Bristol Rovers winger Billy Bodin, Villa look like they’ll be waiting towards the end of the window to finalise any deals.
In the pre-match press conference for the FA Cup game against Peterborough, when asked for an update, Villa boss Steve Bruce hinted they had their eyes on a couple of players.
“There’s nothing yet, but one or two things are bubbling,” said Bruce, before explaining it’ll more than likely be loans, as previously suggested in the run up to the window.
“It’s difficult to loan players right now, but two or three weeks changes things when players move around,” said the Villa boss.
“We have to be patient, but there are one or two bubbling along.
“I think it’ll be more towards the end of January.”
With the return of several players from injury in recent weeks, and with John Terry and Andre Green both due to start against Peterborough, the latest to return, there isn’t the urgency now.
Despite Scott Hogan picking up an injury in the Bristol City game, he is expected to be fit for the next league game against Forest, so the expected striker loan to cover Jonathan Kodjia is also something that isn’t desperately urgent.
In short, Villa’s squad is largely in place and with the uncertainty of which division they’ll be in next season, buying anybody long-term is tricky, as they’ll have to be good enough for the Premier League yet willing to play in the Championship.
One things for sure, most Villa transfer rumour stories that will be farmed out in the next week or two, will be BS.
UTV
Gil was a decent player too.
Saturdays result says everything about our manager. Time to change the backroom staff now before we blow it completely.
the underperformers,,,,, whelan bjarnason lansbury bree elphick delaet gabby richards mccormack
tishibola gardiner gil gollini
these have either been a disaster,,, loaned out or just not had the impact required and could be sold or replaced/improved
but its complicated by the need for cover and now certain players suddenly showing something of what their capable of
ie lansbury bjarnason and elphick,,,
tough one for bruce,,,,,