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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery | Getty Images
Aston Villa will get the chance to bring in some new faces in the January transfer window as Unai Emery's side look to rise up the Premier League table
Aston Villa find themselves sat in 8th position in the Premier League table after their first nine fixtures. They made a slow start to the season but have seen an upturn in form over recent weeks. The Midlands outfit won 1-0 at home to Manchester City last time out at Villa Park.
Full-back Matty Cash scored their winner as they secured an impressive three points. They should be in confident mood at the moment as they look to keep their momentum going. Unai Emery’s men are back in action on Saturday with an away trip to Anfield to play Liverpool.
Aston Villa blow in pursuit of Guela Doue
Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Strasbourg right-back Guela Doue in the upcoming January transfer window along with the likes of Chelsea, Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford. The 23-year-old, who is an Ivory Coast international with seven caps under his belt so far, has caught the eye in Ligue 1 over recent times under the guidance of Liam Rosenior. His current club could face a battle to keep hold of him this winter amid attention from elsewhere.
In this latest update regarding his situation though, a switch to Villa may be off the cards due to PSR concerns. Journalist Pete O’Rourke has said, as per a report by Football Insider: “I think Matty Cash right now is the undoubted first choice right back at Aston Villa. And again, Villa might struggle to get anywhere near what Strasbourg would demand for Doue if they were to sell him due to their FFP and PSR situation. So I don’t think it’s a priority for Villa right now as well. And they’ll continue to keep tabs on him as I’m sure host of Premier League clubs like Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford will do as well.”
What now for Guela Doue amid Aston Villa links?
If O’Rourke’s prediction is correct, a potential switch to Aston Villa for Doue might be unlikely for the time being. That could give other suitors like Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford the chance to swoop in for his signature. His contract at Strasbourg expires in June 2029 meaning they are under no pressure to sell him just yet and they can wait for the right offer to come in for his services first.
The France-born man started his career at Rennes and rose up through their academy ranks. He was a regular at various different youth levels before breaking into the first-team as a teenager. He went on to play 35 games before his transfer to the Stade de la Meinau.
Doue has since become one of Strasbourg’s most prized assets and they won’t want to lose him anytime soon. It may be hard for them to stand in the way though if an English team comes in and matches his valuation. Rosenior’s side have made an impressive start to the new season and are positioned in 7th place in the table, only four points off PSG at the top.
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