Aston Villa could ‘gamble’ with big January transfer spree – Keith Wyness
Aston Villa’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed the club could make a “calculated gamble” in January in a bid to maintain their Champions League status.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs –suggested further transfer investment could depend on their results in the league phase of the competition, with Unai Emery’s side already racking up two wins in their bid for progression.
Aston Villa have already beaten Young Boys and Bayern Munich in Europe this term with a home clash against Bologna on the slate next week (22 October).
The Midlands giants finished fourth to qualify for the Champions League last term and sit fifth in the Premier League this season.
Emery’s side moved to bring Amadou Onana, Ian Maatsen and Jaden Philogene into the first team during the summer window.
Wyness tips Aston Villa for big January activity
Wyness backed Villa to go further in the mid-season window if their good European form continues.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “This is the football conundrum.
“You want to be a Champions League club, but you can’t necessarily spend the budget to maintain it.
“A lot will depend on how well they do in the Champions League, and we’ll know pretty soon.
“They’ve had two wins already, that’s £4million-plus already in the coffers.
“If they qualify for the knockout stage, the temptation will be to spend that to carry on finishing in the top four.
“There’s a long way to go, but at Christmas, they’ll be looking at making a calculated gamble.
“That’s where the good owners come through and make good decisions which come through on the pitch.
“They’ve got such a settled group with Emery and Monchi, and I think they’ll give it a go.
“It would be an amazing rise over the past few years, and I wish them good luck.”
In other news, Villa plotting ambitious defender swoop.
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