Aston Villa‘s steady rise under Unai Emery has put them in a strong position, and maintaining their momentum will be crucial. The Midlands club has returned to Europe’s top competition for the first time since 1983, kicking off their Champions League campaign with an impressive victory over Young Boys in Bern. Their next challenge will be against Bayern Munich, a team they famously defeated in the 1982 European Cup final, thanks to Peter Withe’s iconic goal.
Although Villa won’t be adding new signings until January, balancing their European adventure with Premier League competitiveness is key. To make a deep run in both competitions, they’ll likely need to strengthen their squad in the later stages of the season.
One potential target for the January transfer window is Liverpool defender Joe Gomez. According to Football Insider, the 26-year-old, valued at €28 million (via Transfermarkt), has caught the attention of Villa. Gomez has found himself lower in the pecking order at Liverpool, with manager Jurgen Klopp favoring a centre-back partnership of Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk.
At 27, Gomez might be at a crossroads in his career, needing regular first-team football to re-establish himself. Villa, with the added allure of Champions League football, could provide the ideal opportunity for him. Newcastle United have also shown interest, but without European competition, they might struggle to compete for Gomez’s signature.
If Villa can negotiate the group stages of the Champions League while staying competitive domestically, bringing in reinforcements like Gomez could be pivotal for the latter half of the season.
COMMENTS