- Their European odyssey has highlighted how crucial depth is for a team of their level.
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Aston Villa began last January's transfer window at the top of the Premier League and built on that fast start to a European Cup spot for the first time in more than four decades.
This year, it has been a slower pace, but they are still just five points off the top four and one off fifth, which as it stands would be enough to get back into the Champions League.
Their European odyssey has been a resounding success this campaign, but it has also highlighted how crucial depth is for a team playing at the highest level in two competitions.
They have lost three and drawn two of their Premier League matches immediately after a Champions League match in midweek.
Last January, they unearthed a gem in Middlesbrough called Morgan Rogers for just £8 million. What could they find this time?
Here, as part of our series of transfer reports looking at Premier League clubs ahead of the transfer window, we examine Villa's options.
Aston Villa will need to do business in the January window if they are to move forward this season.
Unai Emery's men have discovered that their European odyssey has shown them the need to find depth
What does Villa need?
Another wide man. Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey are physically fragile and there are doubts over whether Jaden Philogene is good enough at Premier League level.
Without Boubacar Kamara in midfield, they also lack balance, so a replacement for the Frenchman would also come in handy.
However, like Bailey and Ramsey, Kamara cannot be relied on to complete a full season and the drop-off when he is absent is so great that Villa need to close that gap.
Do they have money to spend?
Very little. Only the sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus last June spared Villa a huge points deduction for breaching spending rules and they may be sailing close to the wind again this season.
So if someone comes in, it is unlikely to cost them much and the deal will only be possible if a player also leaves.
Villa need wing cover for Jacob Ramsey (left) and Leon Bailey (right) in January
What players are you interested in?
It would not be a surprise if Villa showed interest in Brentford pair Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo.
Strikers are exactly the type of players Emery likes and Villa have had success buying players from Brentford before – Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins have been excellent at Villa Park and there is no reason why Wissa or Mbeumo couldn't follow a similar path.
Who could leave?
Phylogenous. The extreme could be forgiven for not knowing if he is coming or going. He was sold to Hull in the summer of 2023, Villa bought him back before this season and Mail Sport understands Villa are listening to offers for him again.
Don't be surprised if a rival takes a shot at Ollie Watkins now that he is behind Jhon Durán in the pecking order, but with no other obvious backing for Durán, it would be a big surprise if Villa let the England striker leave.
Mail Sport understands Villa are willing to listen to offers for winger Jaden Philogene
What unexpected moves should fans be on the lookout for?
We've already mentioned Kamara and he showed against Manchester City that he is exactly the type of player Pep Guardiola's team needs.
The 25-year-old former Marseille midfielder does the job for Villa that Rodri has always done for City and it is a surprise that City have not yet shown a huge interest in him.
Perhaps that will change in the coming weeks, but Villa surely wouldn't accept a mid-season exit.