Aston Villa will return from the March international break with two objectives in mind: qualifying for the Champions League with a top-four/five Premier League finish and fighting to lift the Europa League.
Villa have been one of the most impressive outfits in England this season. However, Villa have been the most error-prone team in the division, and Emery will need to smooth things out going forward.
Most Error-Prone Premier League Sides (25/26)
Club
Aston Villa
Tottenham
Burnley
Fulham
Wolves
Several changes may need to be enforced, and NSWE already appear keen on strengthening Villa's midfield.
Aston Villa make approach for Premier League midfielder
In January, Aston Villa strengthened their engine room with the signing of Douglas Luiz from Nottingham Forest. The Brazilian returned home on loan, but whether he remains at Villa Park next season is another question.
Douglas Luiz
Luiz has struggled to recapture his exceptional form from his first stint at the club, but he has plugged a gap that needed filling, with injuries threatening the Villans' season.
But whether Emery wants to sign the South American for good remains to be seen, with reports emerging that they have singled out an alternative.
That's according to reports from Uruguay, relayed by Sport Witness, suggesting that Aston Villa and Newcastle United have already made approaches for Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who looks like he's going to leave Old Trafford this summer after two underwhelming seasons in England.
manuel ugarte
Ugarte, 24, is still a talented number six, combative and assured on the ball when he hasn't been shorn of confidence. He has suitors in Italy and Spain too, so if NSWE are serious, they will need to act quickly.
Why Aston Villa want Ugarte
If Aston Villa did try to sign Ugarte in January, there's a chance that that move was made before Luiz was picked as a fallback.
The Uruguay international has been profiled and boasts strong defensive skills that could see him become a mainstay under Emery's wing. He joined United from Paris Saint-Germain for £50m in 2024, and has more in his locker than has been on display.
Ugarte
A "defensive monster", as dubbed by Statman Dave, Ugarte still won five duels per Premier League match last season, averaging 2.7 tackles too.
His particular strengths could be better utilised at a Villa side with more balance in midfield, and as the likes of John McGinn and Youri Tielemans return from injury, it's possible that Luiz finds fewer opportunities to stake his claim for a permanent spot over the final weeks of the season.
Luiz, 27, hasn't exactly showcased strong ball-playing skills since moving back to the Midlands. He's struggled to create chances over the past several months, and has been named on the substitute's bench against his side's past two Premier League matches.
Ugarte hasn't played much football in the Premier League this season, and there's no question that he has struggled throughout his time at Old Trafford.
However, United haven't exactly been a hothouse for young developing players in recent years, and his peripheral role under Michael Carrick has done little to showcase his skills.
Manuel-Ugarte-Man-Utd
By moving to Villa Park, Ugarte could finally kickstart his career in the English game, proving himself as an elite ball winner and a confident distributor.
The Uruguayan's passing has left something to be desired, but if anyone can get a tune out of a skillset that still promises so much, it's Emery.
Sadly, a push for Ugarte could end Luiz's hopes of making Villa Park his permanent home once again, but this could raise the standard and allow the club to continue to go from strength to strength.
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