FIVE GUYS
Five transfer targets for incoming Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard – Bologna defender Aaron Hickey, Tottenham outcast Harry Winks and Norwich ace Todd Cantwell
Aston Villa have appointed Steven Gerrard as their new boss and the Liverpool icon will no doubt want money to strengthen his ranks in January.
A run of five straight Premier League defeats was enough to convince the club’s hierarchy that a change was needed and Dean Smith was shown the door.
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Rangers manager Gerrard has now been chosen to take charge at Villa Park and he'll have a big task on his hands after moving to Birmingham.
None of Villa's summer signings have yet to hit the heights so far and the club are currently down in 16th with ten points from eleven games.
Gerrard is likely to ask for fresh players in January to put his own stamp on the squad and the club have already put some of the work in.
Aaron Hickey
Matt Targett has been almost ever present at left-back this season at a club that have conceded the third most goals in the Premier League.
Ashley Young, 36, has made just one start in defence since his arrival in the summer in a 2-0 win over Newcastle.
Scottish left-back Hickey could be a target to provide competition for Villa following his impressive form with Serie A side Bologna.
According to , the 19-year-old - who has scored twice in 12 league games - is on the Villain's radar but the teenager is in no rush to quit Italy.
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Harry Winks
The England international was a target for Villa in the summer but Tottenham’s £40million valuation ended any potential deal.
Winks' asking price is sure to have come down now having been completely frozen out in north London.
He played in two of Spurs' first four league matches this term under former boss Nuno Espirito Santo but hasn't played in the Premier League since.
Winks may have hoped for a second chance under Antonio Conte but was an unused substitute in the 0-0 draw at Everton on Sunday.
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Julian Alvarez
Villa are in pole position to land River Plate hotshot, according to Italian outlet
Argentine striker Alvarez has managed a brilliant 15 goals in 16 Argentine Primera Division matches.
The 21-year-old has a £21.5m release clause in his deal but it expires next summer and Villa could agree a pre-contract agreement in January.
Yet Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone warned potential suitors to expect a dip in the youngster's performances last month.
Simeone said: “He has shown important things but he is still young. He may have a moment when his level will drop and we will see what kind of player he is once he leaves (River Plate).
"When they explode so young, then there is a period where you go down because it is normal. There comes a time when you don’t score so many goals, your rhythm slows down, you are less precise.
“We will see how he comes out of that and then we’ll see we the player he’ll be. I like him because he has strength, speed, he has scores goals, has a good shot. Hopefully, he can maintain (his form)."
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Todd Cantwell
The Norwich midfielder was another target for Villa in the summer that may prove easier to nab in the winter transfer window.
The Birmingham outfit made Emiliano Buendia their record signing when they signed him from the Canaries.
But the former Championship player of the year has struggled to settle at Villa Park, managing just one goal and one assist in ten matches this term.
Reuniting Buendia with former teammate Cantwell - who was frozen out by Daniel Farke over the past two months - could be key in unlocking his full potential.
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Eddie Nketiah
Villa are among the clubs monitoring Arsenal striker Nketiah, 22, who wants to quit north London, according to .
The England U21 international is yet to make a single appearance in the Premier League under Mikel Arteta this term.
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Nketiah was an unused substitute again in the 1-0 win over Watford on Sunday and has been limited to a handful of League Cup outings.
His deal expires at the end of the season but Villa would need to pay the Gunners compensation for developing the player.
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