Aston Villa have been linked with signing a striker in the January transfer window.placeholder image
Aston Villa have been linked with signing a striker in the January transfer window. | Getty Images
Aston Villa will have the opportunity to strengthen their squad in attacking areas in the January transfer window
Aston Villa may have begun to turn things around on the pitch after a tough start to the season, but a major concern remains in attacking areas as the Villans’ forward players continue to struggle.
Villa have scored just nine goals in the Premier League this term, a total which is level with Leeds United and only better than the records of the bottom two clubs in Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest. Unai Emery’s side have the sixth-best defensive record in the league, which is a great foundation to build from if the Villans were to start scoring more goals at the other end.
Aston Villa linked with January swoop for Brentford’s Igor Thiago
According to reports by Sport Witness, Aston Villa are one of a number of top Premier League clubs who have made contact with Brentford over striker Igor Thiago ahead of January. The report cites ESPN Brazil and Trivela as stating that contact has been made over Brazilian striker Thiago, who has begun the season in goalscoring form after taking on the burden left by Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.
The 24-year-old has scored six times in 10 matches this campaign, ranking joint-second on the Premier League goal-scoring charts in what is essentially his first full season in the competition. Having signed for £30 million from Club Brugge in summer 2024, two knee injuries kept him out for almost the whole of 2024/25 as he was limited to just 169 minutes of football. This term, his strong early form has seen others take notice.
Villa are linked with Thiago, having made an enquiry ‘to understand his price and availability’ alongside rival suitors Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United. Brentford are said to be ‘determined’ to keep hold of their player and avoid another key exit.
Thiago signing could fire Villa back towards Champions League contention
The signing of Thiago could prove a huge difference-maker for the Villans, who are just a little goal-scoring stardust away from mounting another serious push for the Champions League. Defensively there have been no issues and the Villans have an abundance of quality in midfield, but the attacking third has been the biggest concern so far this season.
Thiago has always been a natural goalscorer wherever he has played, be that in Brazil, Bulgaria, Belgium or now the Premier League. His extensive experience in Europe - he has made 31 appearances across the three major European competitions - could also prove in handy as Villa look to go far in the Europa League. His ability to step into the heavy shoes of Brentford predecessors Mbeumo, Wissa and Ivan Toney has also been admirable and stands him in good stead if he is given the task of becoming Watkins’ long-term replacement.
Nothing has appeared to faze Thiago so far, with a Brazil international call-up believed not to be too far away, and he could pull on the iconic yellow and green shirt at the World Cup next summer as an Aston Villa player if Emery gets his way.
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