Aston Villa are eager to add a defender in this January transfer window and links have emerged with a player Unai Emery has worked with previously

Unai Emery is considering a dip into the January transfer window to bolster his Aston Villa squad. Villa are currently eighth in the Premier League rankings and they are closing in a Round of 16 knockout stage spot in their debut UEFA Champions League campaign.

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Unai Emery has confirmed Villa are likely to target a right-back in the January transfer window but warned profit and sustainability rules mean they must again be “intelligent” in the market.

The absence of Pau Torres for a longer period is a bigger problem, not least because Villa are not so well-stocked in defence. The unavailability of Diego Carlos last Saturday appeared to pick Emery's back four for him.

Aston Villa are pushing to find an agreement with Borussia Dortmund to sign Donyell Malen. The Dutch international is Unai Emery's priority target to add more pace and versatility to his forward options.

Aston Villa have kept just two clean sheets in 20 games this term, which is the joint second-lowest total in the Premier League.