OPINION
Aston Villa look likely to be quite busy in the January window, which is now open for business.
Dean Smith has identified several areas of his squad which need strengthening if Villa are to make a run for the play-offs, with his current crop of players not having the depth to keep up with the big boys in the division at the moment.
Their recent run of just one win in five games illustrates the shortcomings of the current squad, and Smith will need to make some clever signings in the window if he is to lead Villa to potential promotion.
One player which the club have been linked with in recent days is Celta Vigo midfielder Nemanja Radoja.
Previous reports have suggested that Villa have tabled a bid [El Desmarque], while others have even claimed that the Championship club have an agreement in place for the 25-year-old [La Voz de Galicia].
The credibility of such reports is not known, but it does seem as though Villa hold a serious interest in the Serbia international, who would add some much-needed steel to their midfield.
And, the latest report on the situation from Faro de Vigo means that they must now step up their pursuit and drive home their advantage to sign him up.
The regional newspaper claim that conflict has now broken out between Celta and Radoja during negotiations over a new deal, which has been refused by the midfielder.
Radoja is still training with the rest of the squad at the La Liga side, but is seemingly out of the manager’s plans after this development, with a January exit now surely inevitable.
There will never be a better time for Villa to strike for Radoja, and they must act now and secure an early-January signing which would provide an instant lift for a club in need of one.