Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has named three players he would like to see the Premier League strugglers sign in the January window, stating it is ‘absolutely crucial’ that Dean Smith’s side make the right calls with their top-flight status at stake.
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Villa are currently hovering just a point above the relegation zone – despite winning two of their last three league games – and the January window represents an opportunity to improve the level of quality in their ranks.
Sky Sports has linked the club with Chelsea outcast Danny Drinkwater, while The Athletic has mooted a possible move for World Cup winner Olivier Giroud and Bleacher Report has suggested that Daniel Sturridge is a potential target despite only joining Turkish outfit Trabzonspor in August.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, Hendrie would welcome all three to Villa Park this month.
On the importance of Villa’s January deals, he said (via Sky Sports): “It’s absolutely crucial. They spent over £100m in the summer transfer window.
“Lots of clubs do panic buy [in January], they try to bring players in that are going to be suitable and fit the bill for the Premier League and the club.
“Aston Villa have been linked with so many players so it’s so crucial they bring in the right personnel.
“John McGinn’s injured, there’s talk of Drinkwater coming from Chelsea who would be ideal for that midfield area.
“There’s also talk of Giroud and Sturridge, personally I’d go out and get the two of them if possible. I suppose that’s just down to what funds are available and obviously we can’t state the goalkeeper enough.
“Tom Heaton [being out] is a massive blow at such a crucial stage of the season.”
With Villa’s strikers struggling to deliver (with the injured Wesley notching just six times in 22 appearances), it is easy to see why Smith may be looking at adding firepower up top. Giroud may be a realistic target given Frank Lampard’s recent indication that the striker could leave Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, it is thought that wages could provide a stumbling block for any move for Drinkwater, while Bleacher Report also indicated that Michy Batshuayi could be on the Villans’ radar as they keep tabs on Sturridge.
Tom Heaton’s injury only adds to Villa’s busy workload this month, while Hendrie’s apparent desperation for the team to buy is not a great sign given they welcomed a raft of new arrivals this summer that have evidently not produced the results the club will have been looking for.
Villa fans, what is your main priority this month? Let us know your thoughts below!
