da esport bet： Aston Villa could be set for a remarkable year under Unai Emery, especially given the mammoth progress made under his guidance in the last couple of seasons.

da betobet： He’s taken the club from a mid-table Premier League outfit, to a consistent European challenger, with the club frequently appearing in the Champions League.

In 2025/26, the Villans have a huge chance to claim another European trophy in the form of the Europa League, whilst also having an outside chance of winning the Premier League.

However, if the club are to topple the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, added investment may be needed from the hierarchy to help the Spaniard in his quest for success.

With the January transfer window now in full swing, the board now have the chance to back the manager and help him achieve a new level of success at Villa Park.

Aston Villa want move for European sensation this January

Over the last couple of days, Aston Villa have been just one of the clubs touted with a move to land Besiktas star Tammy Abraham, as they look to bolster the club’s frontline.

The Englishman, who previously spent a season on loan at Villa Park, has been in fine form during the 2025/26 campaign, as seen by his tally of seven goals in 17 league appearances.

It remains to be seen if such a deal would be a permanent or temporary one, but the move could be a fairytale return for the forward who captured the hearts of the fanbase back in 2018.

However, he’s not the only player outside the Premier League on their radar, with Union Berlin centre-back Danilho Doekhi also a player being considered.

According to TEAMtalk, the Villans are keen on a move to land the Dutchman this winter, with the defender currently having just six months left on his deal with the Bundesliga outfit.

The report states that his current side are demanding a fee in the region of €13m (£11m) to offload the 27-year-old, who’s featured in 16 league games this campaign.

However, they will face stiff competition for his signature this month, with fellow top-flight club Leeds United also keen on a move for the defender’s signature.

Why Doekhi would be Emery’s next Malen at Aston Villa

Last January, Villa made a number of astute pieces of business, with Donyell Malen making a £21m switch to the West Midlands from German side Borussia Dortmund.

The Dutch forward has been an impressive option for Emery’s men over the last 12 months, as seen by his tally of 10 goals in his 46 appearances in all competitions to date.

He’s often provided a key option off the bench in the 2025/26 campaign, subsequently scoring seven times in his 29 appearances, with three of which coming in the Europa League.

The 26-year-old’s double against Young Boys in the Europa League at the end of November was undoubtedly his best showing for the club, with his transfer now looking like an astute piece of business.

However, the move could be emulated this window with a potential move for Doekhi, with the Union Berlin star having the chance to follow in Malen’s footsteps to Villa Park.

The defender is also Dutch, just like the Villa star, and would be joining the Villans in the winter window from a German club, just as the forward did 12 months ago.

However, whilst the pair operate in different positions, the similarities behind the moves are there for all to see, with Doekhi able to massively improve the defensive department.

His stats from the ongoing campaign showcase his impressive work in the defensive third, which could hand Emery the quality he needs to take the club to the next level.

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The defender, who’s been labelled “dominant” by Gradient Sports, has impressed with the ball at his feet, as seen by his tally of 77% passes completed, with 2.4 of which per 90 being defined as progressive.

Danilho Doekhi – Bundesliga stats (25/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

16

Goals scored

4

Pass accuracy

77%

Progressive passes

2.4

Tackles made

1.9

Interceptions made

1.3

Aerials won

4.8

Clearances made

5.6

% of tackles won

61%

Stats via FBref

However, without the ball is where the 26-year-old has starred, as seen by his tally of 4.8 aerials won per 90 and a 61% tackles success rate so far this campaign.

Other numbers, such as 5.6 clearances and 1.3 interceptions per 90, showcase his ability to frustrate the opposition, which could be vital in the club’s title challenge this season.

£11m would be a bargain fee for a player of Doekhi’s quality in today’s market, with such a deal potentially being the catalyst to success under Emery this season.

If he can have the same impact as Malen in the West Midlands, it would be yet another astute piece of business and one that could make a huge difference to the squad’s defensive solidity.

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Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson