Unai reveals his plan for the window
UNAI Emery is looking to improve Villa’s starting XI by making additions in the January transfer window.
The Spaniard wants to add quality in attack and has an interest in former Barcelona, Everton and Watford midfielder, Gerard Deulofeu.
The 28-year-old worked with Emery during a loan at Sevilla in 2014 while, this season, he has scored three and assisted seven in his 17 appearances for Serie A side Udinese.
“We are speaking and we are working on the possibility of adding some players. We are speaking as well with some players who can leave,’’ said Emery.
“I want to improve everything we can in the squad but I’m so happy with the players because I think we have very good players. But, of course, we can improve and we can add in some positions because I think we are not plentiful in the positions in the squad that I want.
“The next four weeks, we are going to try to add some players but, really, only if they improve our team.”
Jacob Ramsey and John
McGinn were expected to miss out against Wolves, with the latter hobbling off during Villa’s 2-0 win over Tottenham.
McGinn pulled up with a hamstring injury.
“I don’t know exactly about John,” said Emery.
“Hopefully, it’s not going to be a big injury. Jacob Ramsey is so close. He’s starting to try and be with us this week. I don’t know exactly if he can take some minutes against Wolverhampton or, next week, in the FA Cup. I don’t know.”
Emery locked horns on Wednesday night with a man he knows well in Julen Lopetegui, who became Wolves’ new head coach last month.
While at Villarreal in September, Emery’s side drew 1-1 with Lopetegui’s Sevilla and, on the prospect of lining up against his fellow countryman again, he said: “He’s a very, very good coach.
“He has experience and he also decided to come to the Premier League and I think that’s fantastic because to play against teams that he manages and coaches, for me, is a big challenge.
“He demands a lot with his style and we will battle them. We are also going to play again this season for a second time after Sevilla-Villarreal. The game will be a great challenge.”