Aston Villa: Unai Emery wants to sign ‘specialist winger’ during January transfer window | Football News

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has revealed the club’s main target in the January transfer window is to sign a “specialist wing”.

The Spaniard has made a solid start to life at Villa Park after replacing Steven Gerrard in November, but appears eager to start making his own squad at the first opportunity.

After struggling to score under Gerrard, Villa have found the net nine times in Emery’s first five Premier League games under Emery, but Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at home to local rivals Wolves served as a reminder of the team’s potential inefficiency in the final third.

“We tried to add some different characteristics of players to introduce the squad,” said Emery after the match at Villa Park.

“Now we have two strikers in Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, especially strikers. If we need someone, we need someone with different characteristics.

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FREE to watch: Highlights from the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Wolves.

“Similarly, we are thinking of adding one more to the squad. For example, we need a winger. A specialist winger. We are trying to find one.”

Wednesday’s draw was Villa’s first in the Premier League since Emery’s appointment, after three wins and a loss helped lift the club to 11th in the table.

The bad news for Bailey? | Ings are set to stay

Aston Villa striker Leon Bailey was in complete relief after missing a golden chance to score the winner against Wolves.
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Leon Bailey needed a consolation at full-time after missing a golden chance to score the winner against Wolves

Emery’s words could be another blow Leon Baileywho is currently Villa’s best option on the wing but missed a golden chance to secure the three points against Wolves.

The Jamaican crossed the goal in stoppage time and rounded Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa, but was unable to direct the ball into the net, with only the defender getting back to beat him.

Bailey, who has scored just five goals for Villa since joining for £25m in the summer of 2021, collapsed on the turf at the final whistle, having to be comforted by his teammates as he cried.

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Emery said his team played carefully in the second half against Wolves.

Despite confirming his intention to sign the winger in January, Emery insisted he was pleased with Bailey’s performance and reaction to the injury.

The Spaniard said: “I like him. He’s crying but it’s good because he feels it [it]. He took responsibility for scoring.

“I’m very happy with his commitment and I’m very happy with his performance.”

Aston Villa striker Danny Ings
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Danny Ings equalized for Villa against Wolves

Villa’s goals are Danny Engwho came off the bench for the draw, and thus appears to have removed any doubts about his immediate future with the club.

Everton, who are struggling in the Premier League relegation zone, have questioned the possibility of taking Ings on loan.

However, a deal could not be agreed, and the investigation will not go ahead, especially with Emery indicating that the striker is part of his plans for the second half of the campaign.

Follow the January transfer window with Sky Sports

Who will move this season? The January transfer window is open Sunday January 1, 2023 and close it at 11 p.m at Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and gossip in our dedicated Transfer Center Blog at Sky Sports’ digital platform. You can also catch up with in, out and analysis Sky Sports News.

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