Aston Villa are working hard to sign a replacement for Diego Carlos before the transfer window closes, according to Unai Emery.
The Brazilian defender moved to Fenerbahce for a reported £8.5million earlier this week. Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings are Villa’s only fit centre-backs, while Pau Torres remains out with a foot injury.
Emery wants to sign another centre-back before next Monday’s deadline, with the club reportedly in talks to sign Sevilla’s Loic Bade.
“We are open to improving the squad until the last moment and we are also open in case someone leaves,” he said ahead of Sunday’s game at West Ham.
“Of course Diego Carlos left last week and we have to replace him and of course we are also focusing on which players could be potential players to replace Diego Carlos.”
New Villa sign Garcia as ‘good opportunity’
Villa recently signed 21-year-old right-back Andres Garcia. The Spaniard is the second acquisition in January following Donyell Malen’s move from Borussia Dortmund.
About Garcia, Emery said: “He is a right-back, a potential young player. He progressed so quickly and I knew him before. I know how he felt, also as a person.
“We decided to sign him because we thought it was a good opportunity, especially at this moment, a really good opportunity because he is progressing so quickly in his career.
“And of course, being a potential young player, we are not in a hurry to get him.
“Hopefully we can make quick progress with Andres Garcia in his adaptation and show him how to understand everything in the Premier League beyond our level.”
Villa injury news: McGinn returns
Unai Emery has provided the latest fitness updates on four of our first team players ⤵️
– Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 24, 2025
Emery confirmed that captain John McGinn is expected to be available for Sunday’s home game at Villa Park after three games with a hamstring injury.
“John McGinn is starting to train with the group, he’s working with us,” Emery said.
“(Amadou) Onana still works alone.
“Ross Barkley is still not available and Pau (Torres) will need more time to try and get to us.”
