How Aston Villa can line up if two Champions League winners arrive in January

Unai Emery could be fielding a new-look Aston Villa side come the end of January if he pulls off two new signings.

Villa remain in the Premier League title race after 21 games, sitting just six points behind league leaders Arsenal.

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But after selling Donyell Malen to Roma after just a year at the club, they are eyeing a forward to maintain some important depth.

And they are increasingly confident of bringing back Champions League winner Tammy Abraham, talkSPORT understands.

Abraham, who is still contracted to Roma, has to cancel his current loan spell at Besiktas to make the move to Villa Park.

Villa are offering the 11-cap England international a four-and-a-half-year deal to return to the club.

The 28-year-old spent time on loan from Chelsea at the West Midlands side from 2018 to 2019, scoring 26 goals in 40 appearances to propel them to promotion from the Championship.

Abraham has netted 13 goals in 25 games for Besiktas this term after leaving Roma on loan last summer, but he will have to cut his spell short to secure a return to the Premier League.

Emery wants that extra forward in his ranks to replace Malen, while he’s also looking at adding a new midfielder too.

He missed out on Conor Gallagher after Tottenham hijacked a deal that was close, but he’s now got his eyes on another target.

The Spanish manager is also looking towards his home country at another Champions League winner in out-of-favour Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos.

Ceballos was signed by Emery for Arsenal and he is now being linked to a reunion after playing just 367 minutes for Real this season.

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How could Aston Villa line up?

If Aston Villa sign Abraham and Ceballos, they could work their way into the starting 11 and shake things up for Emery’s side.

Ollie Watkins has scored seven goals in 21 Premier League appearances this season, but hasn’t always started.

He has come off the bench multiple times so far this term, with Emery not afraid to take him off during games too.

So, Abraham may take some of his minutes and start on occasion, especially considering that Emery has previously spoken about how he struggles to play with two strikers in his system.

He could lead the line in front of a talented three behind him – and Ceballos has the chance to join that three.

The ex-Gunners midfielder may end up slotting in alongside Morgan Rogers and John McGinn, rotating with Emi Buendia and Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho too.

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The Spaniard could also drop into a deeper role next to Youri Tielemans, amid injury struggles in that area for Villa.

Amadou Onana has not played a game in 2026 due to a hamstring issue, while Boubacar Kamara is set for a long spell out.

He was substituted after nine minutes with a knee problem against Tottenham on January 10 and there are fears it is serious.

A back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Ian Maatsen looks to be cemented for now, with the new faces not impacting that area of the pitch.

Although Victor Lindelof and Lucas Digne remain great options to come into the starting team if required.

Emi Martinez will remain in goal, of course – if he remains fit.

The Argentinian was substituted at half-time with a calf problem last time out, but he’s likely to return to fitness soon.