Aston Villa to axe trio in January transfer window to help strengthen key areas

22 December 2023 , 12:34

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Aston Villa to axe trio in January transfer window to help strengthen key areas

Aston Villa will look to move on three first-team stars in January as Unai Emery attempts to continue his side’s unlikely push for the Premier League title.

The Midlands side sit third in the table ahead of festive rounds of fixtures. They are just one point off top spot and could be the frontrunners heading into Christmas Day should they beat Sheffield United and results go for them.

Their stunning form this season is another sign of the progress made under Emery. The Spaniard helped Villa to seventh and a place in the Europa Conference League in his debut campaign.

Heading into the January transfer window, it appears that they could be in line for a decent amount of business. According to The Athletic, all of Leander Dendoncker, Calum Chambers and Bertrand Traore could bid farewell.

Dendoncker, 28, signed for Villa from Wolves last season but has been limited to just three starts this season. Traore’s minutes have been even more limited after making just two matchday Premier League squads this term.

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Former Arsenal defender Chambers has yet to appear in the league this season and has just 18 months remaining on his contract at Villa Park. While the three could be moved on, it is suggested that a striker, right-back and a winger could potentially be on the club’s shopping list.

Calum Chambers could leave Aston Villa in January (Getty Images)

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Emery has already suggested that his side could be tempted to do business in the January window. Speaking at a press conference, he said: “The owners are very ambitious and they are excited. They are enjoying it. We have to be very intelligent and smart because we have good players in the squad.

“We are managing some change in terms of how we can improve the squad. It’s not easy now to change something and improve clearly.

“We have the chance to do something and we are also going to see how we can manage some departures in the squad. We will analyse every situation in depth.”

Villa were busy in the summer transfer market as Emery bolstered his squad ahead of the club’s Europa Conference League campaign. Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres arrived for big fees, while Youri Tielemans was signed from Leicester on a free.

Nicolo Zaniolo and Clement Lenglet both arrived on loan from Roma and Barcelona respectively. After taking on Sheffield United, Villa are back in action on Boxing Day against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Daniel Orme