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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 centre-backs, while Pau Torres remains with a foot injury.
Emery wants to add another centre-back before Monday’s deadline, with the club reportedly in talks to sign Sevilla’s Loic Bade.
“We are open to trying to improve the team until the last moment, and also, we are open in case someone leaves,” he said before 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 also focusing on which players could be potential players to replace Diego Carlos.”
New villa signing García a ‘good opportunity’
Villa recently signed 21-year-old right-hander Andrés García, with the Spaniard becoming their second January acquisition following the arrivals of Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund.
On García, Emery said: “He is a young, potential and correct backup player. He was progressing so quickly and I knew him before. I know how he was doing, as a person too.
“We decided to sign him because we were thinking it was a good opportunity, just at this moment, a very good opportunity, how he is progressing so quickly in his career.
“And of course, being a potential young player, we are in no rush with him.
“Hopefully, with Andrés García, we can progress quickly 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 will 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 is still working alone.
“Ross Barkley is still not available and Pau (Torres) will need more time to try to be close with us.”
