Another striker was linked to Aston Villa; both players were free to go for better offers.

The 23-year-old Canadian international is reportedly a target for Manchester United and has scored 10 goals in 24 games this season.

Villa is keeping an eye on the forward market as they contemplate adding players to help them compete for championships this year, but they are ready to wait as Unai Emery has made it clear time and time again that he would only buy players who are better than the ones he already has.

 

The manager clarified, “If we are trying to get someone, it is really because we are very convinced he will increase our level in the squad,” in an effort to preserve the existing equilibrium he has with the team. The January window is unclear about how to obtain it.

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Jhon Duran might be permitted to go on loan if a different striker is brought in. The 20-year-old, who did start the FA Cup victory against Middlesbrough last weekend, is said to have voiced some irritation at his lack of playing time.

Should the right offers come along, defender Calum Chambers and winger Bertrand Traore are free to depart.

Second-place Villa in the Premier League will play their next match on Sunday at Everton, where their rivals will have Dominic Calvert-Lewin available for selection following his successful appeal of his red card in the FA Cup match against Crystal Palace last week.

After being sent off in the 0-0 draw, the England international was set to serve a three-match suspension; however, the ruling was reversed as a result of a contentious VAR intervention.

 

In the meantime, Villa’s academy signed 16-year-old midfielder George Hemmings from Nottingham Forest, another highly-regarded talent.

Hemmings, an under-16 England representative, will first train with Villa’s under-18 team.