Unai Emery says Aston Villa are working hard to sign a replacement for Diego Carlos before the transfer window closes.
The Brazilian defender joined Fenerbahce for a reported £8.5million earlier this week, leaving Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings as Villa’s only two fit centre-backs while Pau Torres remains out with a foot injury.
Emery wants to add another centre-back before next Monday’s deadline, with the club reportedly in talks to sign Sevilla’s Loic Bade.
“We are open to trying to improve the squad until the last moment, and as well, we are open in case someone is leaving,” he said ahead of Sunday’s game at West Ham.
“Of course, Diego Carlos left in the last week, and we have to replace him, and of course we are as well focusing on which players could be potential players to replace Diego Carlos.”
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New Villa signing Garcia a ‘good opportunity’
Villa recently signed 21-year-old right-back Andres Garcia, with the Spaniard becoming their second acquisition of January after Donyell Malen’s arrivals from Borussia Dortmund.
On Garcia, Emery said: “He is a right full-back, potential, young player. He was progressing so quick, and I knew him before. I know how he was doing, as a person as well.
“We decided to sign him because we were thinking it was a good opportunity, just in this moment, a really good opportunity, how he is progressing so quick in his career.
“And of course, being a potential young player, we are not in a hurry with him.
“Hopefully, with Andres Garcia, we can progress quick in his adaptation, and how he can understand everything in the Premier League about the level we have.”
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 set to be available for Sunday’s home game at Villa Park after three games out with a hamstring injury.
“John McGinn is starting to train with the group, he’s working with us,” Emery said.
“[Amadou] Onana is still working alone.
“Ross Barkley is still not available and Pau [Torres] will need more time to try to be close with us.”
