Aston Villa are targeting Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford and Everton's versatile midfielder James Garner.
The Villans' recruitment underwhelmed during the summer transfer window with off-season additions yet to make their mark on Unai Emery's side, but the Midlands club are already reportedly looking at who they could bring in next.
Aston Villa could Raid Premier League rivals
Unai Emery
Football Insider have reported that Villa are eyeing Toffees midfielder Garner and City goalie Trafford, with both potentially available in January.
Garner's contract at Everton is due to expire at the end of the season, and Villa have 'registered an interest' ahead of the mid-season transfer window. The Toffees have the option to extend the former Manchester United youngster's deal by another year, although with Nottingham Forest and Newcastle reportedly keen, January could still be a wise time to sell while interest is high.
Football Insider even report that Villa have 'made contact' over a deal for Garner, although they don't elaborate much further on that claim.
Meanwhile, the same outlet have revealed that Villa are keen to sign City's out-of-favour shot-stopper, Trafford. Having already received call-ups to England's senior squad and impressed as part of Burnley's formidable backline last season, the 23-year-old comes highly-rated.
City re-signed their former youth product last summer, but plans for his development into their eventual successor to Ederson went awry when Gianluigi Donnarumma became available towards the end of the transfer window. The former Premier League champions felt obliged to swoop for the Italy No.1, pushing Trafford down the pecking order.
Villa are keeping tabs on Trafford with Football Insider claiming it's 'increasingly likely' he'll leave City next year, potentially on loan.
Two Squad Issues Solved for Unai Emery
emiliano martinez
Garner and Trafford would be smart signings for Villa. Few Premier League clubs can afford to pass up the opportunity to sign young English players with the potential to further improve, especially if there's a possibility of getting them at a reasonable price.
But within Unai Emery's squad specifically, the English duo address some emerging issues.
The first is the uncertainty over Emi Martinez's future. It's no secret Villa's No.1 pushed for a move away in the summer, and it seems inevitable that he'll do the same again if a major club show an interest in him. Perhaps Champions League qualification this season - either through the Premier League or the Europa League - can temper him, but once a player's head is turned, it's difficult to regain their full focus and loyalty.
Ultimately, Villa need to be on the lookout for their next No.1 and Trafford is a strong candidate; a great shot-stopper with an imposing 6 foot 6 frame, and yet incredibly comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Garner, meanwhile, offers depth in some key areas for Villa, having played in both full-back positions and central midfield during his time at Everton. Villa have options in midfield, but many of them are riddled with concerning injury records: Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans have all suffered extended absences since the start of last season, while Ross Barkley turns 32 in December and John McGinn isn't too far behind him.
Garner's had some injury problems of his own - back issue which kept him out for periods of the 2022/23 campaign and last season - but he is nonetheless another body in the mix, one who can also address the lack of depth at right-back. Victor Lindelof starting there against Maccabi Tel Aviv was a great insight into Emery's limited options: Lamare Bogarde can play there too, but that's about it behind Matty Cash.
Trafford and Garner would add depth and longevity to Villa's squad, but whether they can get deals over the line still remains to be seen.