There is just over a week remaining for Aston Villa to get their remaining business done in the transfer window.

Unai Emery is expected to be busy as we head towards the final few days of the month but has admitted that he will be "demanding" over the calibre of player that Villa choose to sign. The club are believed to be in the market for a midfielder and winger, as well as a striker to fill Danny Ings' place in the squad.

In terms of a midfielder, Villa have ben linked with several players, but Marseille's Matteo Guendouzi is a name that will not go away, having worked under Emery at Arsenal. Villa are also understood to have expressed an interest in Udinese winger Gerard Deulofeu and the Italian club's president had provided an update on the player's future.

Lyon's Moussa Dembele is the player that has been tipped to bolster Villa's striking options and would be available for a bargain price, given that he is set to become a free agent in the summer. Meanwhile, Emery has instructed several players, including Marvelous Nakamba, that they are free to leave this month.

Morgan Sanson was among the group of players that the new Villa boss admitted was free to search for minutes elsewhere. French outlet L'Equipe has reported that the 28-year-old has joined Strasbourg on loan.

Morgan Sanson breaks silence as Aston Villa transfer confirmed

Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson has joined Strasbourg on loan until the end of the season.

Sanson, who joined Villa in 2021, struggled to establish a place in the starting team. He made just 23 appearances for the club since signing from Marseille, with three of those coming under new boss Unai Emery.

In a statement released by Villa confirming his departure, it read: "Aston Villa can confirm Morgan Sanson has joined Strasbourg on loan until the end of the season.


Signs of improvement

Aston Villa utility man Ashley Young has praised the subtle differences that Unai Emery has made to the club since he was appointed as head coach in October. Since swapping Villarreal for Villa, Emery has already inspired five wins from seven league matches and it has propelled the Lions to within three points of the top six.

The latest success was down at Southampton on Saturday, a gritty win which required patience before Ollie Watkins rose highest and planted his header when meeting Douglas Luiz's free kick into the corner less than 15 minutes from time.

Villa do indeed look a team totally transformed, but Young - who himself has continued to enjoy some fine form at right-back recently - has explained how Emery has tweaked things, rather than make wholesale changes behind the scenes. The upturn in both results and performances have been quite startling, though, something Villa supporters can quite happily get used to.

READ: Young impressed by Emery impact and changes

Injury set-back

Danny Ings won't be available for new club West Ham United for the next few weeks after suffering an injury set-back on his debut on Saturday - his first game for his new club after leaving Aston Villa.

This season's top scorer Ings departed Villa Park and joined the Irons for £15m last week, having made his final appearance for the Lions in the 2-1 win over Leeds United on Friday 13 January. He left having scored 14 league goals in 18 months for Villa.

Ings' start to life at West Ham couldn't have been further from the plan, though; he replaced Michail Antonio with 18 minutes left of their 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday, but the Guardian is reporting that during that cameo he sustained a knee injury before the end.

READ: Sidelines for Ings

Duran & Emery set for talks

Jhon Duran is looking forward to having a detailed chat with Aston Villa boss Unai Emery about his plans for the club going forwards, after the Colombian striker finally arrived at Villa Park on Monday.

Duran is Emery's second Villa signing of the January transfer window, after the arrival of left-back Alex Moreno, and he could immediately come into contention to make his debut for the Lions when they welcome Leicester City in a fortnight's time.

He cost the club £18m when agreeing a move from MLS side Chicago Fire and, now that he has landed in Birmingham, he's eager to sit down and talk extensively with Emery, who he'll be working under moving forwards.

READ: Duran will speak to Emery about the Villa 'project'

Jhon Duran posts six-word message after Aston Villa transfer

New signing Jhon Duran has reacted to his move to Aston Villa from Chicago Fire.

The 19-year-old striker put pen-to-paper on a long-term contract after arriving from international duty with Colombia under-20s. The agreement for his £14.75million transfer move was reached between clubs last week, with Villa expected to pay a further £3m in add-ons.

Duran was granted international clearance and trained with his new teammates at Bodymoor Heath today (Monday). The Colombian could be in contention to make his Villa Park debut against Leicester City on February 4, with Unai Emery keen to work with the player.

Read more, here.

Knock on effect?

Marseille are weighing up a move for in-demand forward Terem Moffi - and their pursuit of the Nigerian international could have a knock on effect this month in Aston Villa's hunt for midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.

L'OM have joined the race for Moffi, who plays in France with Lorient and has been in superb form this season. To date, he has already scored 13 goals in 20 appearances this season for the Ligue 1 side, who sit in seventh in the league table - ten points and four places below Marseille.

Villa boss Unai Emery is keen to add to his squad before the month is out, if he can, although he did admit that he is generally pleased with what he has for now and if required he is happy to wait until the summer to carry out the bulk of his intended business. He has, though, permitted Marvelous Nakamba a move before the deadline passes.

READ: Transfer domino effect could affect Villa's plans

Erling Haaland warning as Aston Villa complete transfer

Aston Villa supporters have shown their excitement after Jhon Duran was announced, becoming the club's second January signing.

The 19-year-old made the £14.75 million switch from Chicago Fire, with Villa reaching an agreement last week. The deal will include a further £3m in add-ons and Duran will wear the number 22.

Prior to being announced, Duran had been on international duty with Colombia under-20s, as they compete in the South American Championship. It remains unclear whether the striker will return, however, having trained with his new teammates at Bodymoor Heath.

Read more, here.

Onto the next one

Steven Gerrard's wait to return to management after being sacked by Aston Villa will continue for the time being after the news that former Portugal manager Fernando Santos is about to land the Poland job.

Gerrard, who left Villa in October after a very poor start to the season, is keen to return to work having enjoyed a break from work, which included the festive period, with his family, and he was strongly linked with the Poland vacancy.

Czeslaw Michniewicz left his job as Poland boss at the end of last year, having guided them to the last 16 stage of the Qatar World Cup, and Gerrard was in the running to replace him - where he'd have reunited with Villa right-back Matty Cash and the now recalled Jan Bednarek.

READ: Gerrard wait for a return to work set to go on

Aston Villa announce Jhon Duran signing

Aston Villa have finally announced the £14.75 million signing of Jhon Duran. The 19-year-old has penned a long-term contract at Villa Park and will be in contention to make his Villa Park debut against Leicester City on February 4.

Villa struck an agreement with Chicago Fire last week which includes a further £3m in add-ons. Duran, meanwhile, has now been granted international clearance and trained with his new teammates at Bodymoor Heath earlier today (Monday).

Jhon Duran of Chicago Fire (Image: Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Southampton fans pile in amid 'bigger club' claim as Jan Bednarek transfer confirmed

Southampton supporters are seemingly not happy with Jan Bednarek's return after being recalled from his loan spell at Aston Villa.

The 26-year-old arrived at Villa Park on a season-long loan in the summer in order to secure regular game time. However, four months later, the defender made just four appearances in claret and blue.

Bednarek has now been recalled by new Saints boss Nathan Jones as he looks to keep the club in the Premier League. His return has prompted talk on social media, following his comments upon his Villa move. "It’s really important for me to move to a bigger club and to improve as a player, and Villa is the best place for me to do that," Bednarek said at the time.

Read more, here.

Villa could hatch new Matteo Guendouzi plan

Aston Villa could be set to take a different approach in their attempts to sign Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, according to reports in France.

Villa are known to be in the market for a midfielder as Unai Emery looks to revamp his squad. Four players have already headed out the door, with Alex Moreno and Jhon Duran travelling in the opposite direction, and midfield duo Marvelous Nakamba and Morgan Sasnon have been told that they can also leave the club, with the latter reportedly set to join Strasbourg on loan.

Guendouzi emerged as a target for Villa at the beginning of the month and Emery has since been linked with a big-money move to bring the former Arsenal man to Villa Park. On Sunday, it was reported by L’Equipe that Villa had made a “fabulous offer” for the 23-year-old but there have been fresh reports regarding the club’s negotiation tactics.

Read the full story

Villa agree to Jan Bednarek exit

Aston Villa have confirmed that Jan Bednarek’s time at the club has come to an end.

The centre-back arrived on loan from Southampton, agreeing a deal until the end of the season. Bednarek was brought in following Diego Carlos’ long-term injury but found himself behind Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa in the pecking order.

Villa confirmed that the club had received a request from Southampton to terminate his loan move, with Nathan Jones’ Saints side remaining in the bottom three after their defeat to Villa on Saturday. Bednarek leaves the club having made four appearances in a Villa shirt, including his sole start against Stevenage in the FA Cup.

Read the full story

Aston Villa Premier League squad update

Here’s Villa’s 25-man Premier League squad as it stands with only 15 players fit at present given injuries to Jed Steer, Diego Carlos, Lucas Digne and John McGinn. *designates homegrown players

Goalkeepers: Martinez * , Olsen, Steer * (3)

Defenders: Cash * , Chambers * , Digne, Konsa*, Mings * , Diego Carlos, Young *, Alex Moreno(8)

Midfielders: Buendia, Coutinho, Dendoncker, Kamara, McGinn, Douglas Luiz (6)

Strikers: Bailey, Watkins * (2)

Squad total (over-21s): 19/25 players

Non homegrown: 11/17

Notable under-21 players: Sinisalo, Kesler-Hayden, J.Ramsey, Jhon Duran

Out: Bednarek, Augustinsson, Guilbert, Ings, Nakamba, Sanson

READ MORE: Aston Villa have huge transfer reality as Unai Emery targets new signings

Bednarek recalled by Saints

It has now been confirmed that Jan Bednarek has been recalled from his loan at Villa by parent club Southampton.

Villa said in a statement:

Aston Villa can confirm the Club have agreed to Southampton's request to recall Jan Bednarek this month.

The Poland international will return to St Mary's having joined Villa on loan in the summer, going on to make four appearances in claret and blue.

Everyone at Aston Villa would like to thank Jan for his service and wish him all the best in his future career.

Ashley Young fuels European push

It is the 15th anniversary of when Ashley Young first put pen to paper for Aston Villa and the veteran is determined to bring the good times back to Villa Park.

Arriving as a dazzling winger, Young was a cornerstone of the Martin O’Neill era that regularly brought European football to B6. When he left to join Manchester United in 2011, fans may have hoped that Young would return in the future but few could have predicted the transformation that would occur in his decade away from the club.

When Villa announced last summer that a 36-year-old Young had agreed a second spell at the club, he was generally regarded as good cover at full-back. Instead, his remarkable fitness and tenacious leadership has seen Young emerge as one of Villa’s standout performers this season and he has set his sights on a return to Europe under Unai Emery.

Read the full story

Jan Bednarek to cut short Aston Villa loan

Jan Bednarek is expected to head back to parent club Southampton this week.

The Polish international has made just four appearances since joining on a season-long loan last summer.

However, after failing to nudge ahead of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa in Villa's pecking order, Bednarek will cut short his loan agreement and head back to Saints.

Jan Bednarek of Aston Villa (Image: Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

John McGinn pushing for Aston Villa return

John McGinn of Aston Villa (Image: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

John McGinn is hopeful of a return to match action in Aston Villa's next fixture against Leicester City on February 4.

The captain has missed Villa's last three matches after picking up a grade two hamstring tear in the win over Spurs on New Year's Day.

Unai Emery is reversing key Steven Gerrard problem

Aston Villa laid down their latest marker with the win over Southampton as Unai Emery continues to revolutionise the club’s fortunes.

Remarkably, Villa are now just three points off the European places. However, the full extent of Villa’s revival has perhaps gone unnoticed by some of their Premier League rivals as Emery’s side continue to find themselves stuck in purgatory. Or 11th place, as fans of other clubs might call it.

Emery has averaged more than two points per game since arriving at B6 (2.28, to be exact) but it is more than the Spaniard’s impressive start - or career trophy haul - that has engendered complete faith from the fanbase. There is a real sense that the club are building towards something under Emery. As every Villa fan knows, it takes a special manager to beat Manchester United at Villa Park.

Read the full story

Sanson transfer update sparks Villa theory

Morgan Sanson has received a flurry of messages following reports that he is set to leave Aston Villa.

Unai Emery admitted that the 28-year-old was one of the players who was free to find a new club, despite making three appearances under the new Villa boss. The manager described Sanson as a “very good player” but confessed that he would have to look elsewhere in order to get regular minutes.

Sanson has made 23 appearances for the club since signing from Marseille, two years ago, becoming a popular figure among the Villa faithful. However, the midfielder also suffered long absences from the starting XI under both Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard and looks to have sealed a move back to France.

Read the full story

Udinese break Deulofeu silence

Udinese sporting director Pierpaolo Marino insists the Italian club do not want to sell Aston Villa target Gerard Deulofeu this month, but hasn't ruled out a transfer for their star player.

BirminghamLive understands that Villa enquired about Deulofeu at the start of the month, but have not firmed up their interest yet. Head coach Unai Emery is a big fan of the former Barcelona ace and wants to add a winger to his squad this month.

Read the full story

Sanson set for Villa exit

Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson has reportedly signed for Strasbourg.

The 28-year-old joined Villafor £14m from Marseille in 2021 but has struggled to nail down a regular place in the starting XI. He arrived as a highly-rated midfielder with Champions League pedigree but was told by new manager Unai Emery that he was free to leavethe club, given the number of options at his disposal.

Read the full story

Villa 'getter closer' to Guendouzi deal

Aston Villa are reported to be making progress in their pursuit of Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.

The France international has been reinvigorated at the Stade Velodrome after initially arriving on loan from Arsenal in 2021. Guendouzi, 23, completed a permanent move this summer for a bargain £9m, with his performances in Ligue 1 seeing him become a pivotal player for OM and earning seven caps for Les Bleus.

Unai Emerywas the man that signed him for Arsenal, back in 2018, and is hunting for a new midfielder this month. Villahave been linked with a possible £30m move for Guendouziand there has been an update on the club’s hopes of signing Marseille’s main man.

Read the full story

Morning, Villans

Good morning and welcome to our Aston Villa live blog forMonday, January 23.

Let's start with a quick reminder of yesterday's major transfer headlines.