Aston Villa are hoping to reignite hopes of reaching the Championship play-offs in the second half of the season. EXPRESS SPORT takes a look what Aston Villa could do in the January transfer window.
Aston Villa harbour hopes of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking and chairman Dr Tony Xia has already made his intentions clear by investing heavily in the squad.
Steve Bruce became Villa's fifth manager since February 2015 after Roberto Di Matteo was sacked after just 12 games in charge.
The former Hull boss has steadied the ship at Villa Park since his arrival, having lost just twice in his first 11 matches including an impressive wins against Reading and Fulham.
Bouncing back into the Premier League is no mean feat - clubs such as Charlton, Sheffield United, Bolton and Leeds have struggled since losing their top flight status.
But Villa will find solace in knowing 18 relegated clubs in the period between 1993 and 2014 have managed to get promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Newcastle are odds on favourites to jump straight back but Express Sport takes a look at what Villa plan to do in the January transfer window to improve their chances of returning to the Premier League.
What do they need?
A part from a few new signings, what Villa really need is stability in their manager and Bruce has not spent less than two seasons at a club since his stint with Crystal Palace in 2001.
But in the transfer window Villa are on the look out for a goalkeeper, a right-back and a midfielder to get ready for a push to the Championship play-off places.
Bruce may also be tempted to look for another striker to ease the pressure on Jonathan Kodjia who has eight league goals to his name but has scored just twice since September.
How much can they spend?
There is no doubt that Xia is happy to delve into his deep pockets in order to achieve his ambition of getting Villa back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
The Villa chairman has made no secret of wanting to turn the fortunes around at Villa and spent £50million in the 2016 summer transfer window - unrivalled by any other Championship club.
Villa have only signed a total of 16 players in the January transfer window since it’s inauguration in 2003 but that is expected to change in the New Year.
The club made the two most expensive Championship transfers in history in the summer with the additions of Ross McCormack and Kodjia, and Xia is likely to back Bruce in his first transfer window at the club.
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Express Sport brings you the full list of Championship promotion odds for 2016/17
Who might they sign?
Villa have been linked with a move for Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in recent weeks but now face competition from Stoke.
Johnstone has spent the past five years on loan at several clubs up and down the leagues, most recently Preston, and, at 23 years old, would likely be keen on regular football.
Arsenal duo Rob Houlding and Carl Jenkinson have also been linked with a move to Villa Park and Bruce’s strong relationship with Arsene Wenger could help a deal materialise.
And it was reported earlier in the month that Villa launched an incredible bid for Norwich and Republic of Ireland star Robbie Brady worth £10m on a £50,000-a-week contract.
Who could leave?
While the Villa chairman is happy to aid Bruce in the January transfer window, Xia is likely to want to see some outgoings as well.
Reports in France have suggested Liverpool are preparing to make a bid for Villa left-back Jordan Amavi with representatives from both parties having held talks.
Gabby Agbonlahor’s future was in doubt after being put on a fat-loss programme earlier in the season but has since won back his place in the team after losing one-and-a-half stone.