Aston Villa are still in the hunt for a Champions League return on two fronts, despite a dip in January that has dented their top-four chances.
But even after winning only three of their last seven league matches and slipping up at Monaco, they sit just four points off fourth and entered the final night of the Champions League group stage on the cusp of automatic qualification for the last 16.
The story of their season has been the back-and-forth battle between strikers Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, who have combined for 22 goals in all competitions but are both as competitive as each other about nailing down a starting spot.
Here, our Villa expert TOM COLLOMOSSE answers the five biggest questions facing them as they enter the final five days of the window.
Duran (left) and Watkins have been battling it out all season – and a resolution seems near
What business have Aston Villa done so far in January and will they be happy with it?
Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia have arrived for a combined total of about £27million from Borussia Dortmund and Levante respectively.
Former Dortmund winger and Arsenal academy graduate Malen has been the biggest addition
21-year-old Spaniard Garcia can play at right back or on the wing
In terms of outgoings, Jaden Philogene joined Ipswich for £19m, Diego Carlos left for Fenerbahce for £8.4m and Emi Buendia has sealed a loan switch to Bayer Leverkusen.
They have recouped what they have spent, but Villa are far from done.
What more do they need to do and do they have money to spend?
Injuries to Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings, plus the departure of Carlos, means boss Unai Emery wants at least one more senior centre back as well as an attacker who can operate across the front line.
Mings’ injury means Villa need reinforcements at centre back, where they are very thin
But with Villa sailing permanently close to the line on profitability and sustainability rules, any signing must be compensated by a sale.
Which signings are they targeting?
Rather than working within a clear framework, Villa’s recruitment team are old-fashioned deal-makers who swoop on opportunities as they arise.
This can make their transfer plans feel chaotic as they pivot between various targets, but they have had a lot of success with that strategy too.
Chelsea centre back Axel Disasi is available, 18 months after joining the Blues for £38.5m
Joao Felix has been on Unai Emery’s radar for a long time and is still only 25 years old
They know Chelsea centre back Axel Disasi is available as a possible replacement for Carlos, and have used those talks to float the idea of signing the Blues’ attacking midfielder Joao Felix, a long time objective for boss Emery.
Felix, who is still only 25, has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since his £46.3m move last summer, starting only three league games. He has seven goals in all competitions, but six of those came against Morecambe, Panathinaikos and FC Noah.
But don’t be surprised if they change tack completely in the final hours of the window. This is Villa in 2025, after all.
Who could still leave?
Villa have been desperate to sell Duran ever since the end of 2024 and may drop their £70m asking price for the fiery Colombian as the deadline approaches.
Duran has 12 goals this season and a host of clubs are lining up for the fiery Colombian
Saudi club Al Nassr are among those interested with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea also sounded out. But as Mail Sport revealed on Wednesday, Villa are now being tested by an approach for Watkins from Arsenal. The Gunners are desperate for a new forward and have had a bid rejected for the boyhood Arsenal fan.
An improved offer is expected from Arsenal for the 29-year-old, who has long been admired by their manager Mikel Arteta. While playing for Brentford in 2020, Watkins said: ‘The dream is to play for Arsenal one day. But, you know, it’s a long shot.’
Back-up right back Kosta Nedeljkovic will be allowed to depart on loan while forward Louie Barry may join a Championship club, also on loan. Hull City appear the front-runners at this stage.
Which players have stepped up in January and could be ‘like a new signing’ for the rest of the season?
Jacob Ramsey has had shocking luck with injuries but the midfielder has recovered now and as long as Villa are careful with him, he can be a huge asset for the remainder of the campaign.
Ramsey’s return to form could provide some much-needed goals from midfield for Villa
Villa lack goals from midfield but in Ramsey, they have a player who loves to move beyond the centre forward and into scoring positions. He showed this against West Ham last weekend, as he played a quick one-two with Watkins before bursting into the box and finishing low with his left foot.
If he finds form and fitness, Ramsey is one to watch.
