Aston Villa could welcome further reinforcements to Villa Park ahead of the transfer deadline thanks to the club's 'ambitious' owners, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has told GiveMeSport.

Having been appointed as the Villans' head coach in October, Unai Emery is looking to strengthen his squad.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update

Aston Villa transfer news - January targets

According to 90min, Aston Villa have opened discussions with Lyon striker Moussa Dembele over a potential switch.

The 26-year-old Frenchman has entered the final six months of his £52,000-per-week deal, meaning a pre-contract agreement could be signed ahead of a summer arrival in the Midlands, but a winter move is also being explored.

Villa have joined Newcastle United, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest in a battle to land winger Anthony Gordon, with Everton now considering approaches, while Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi is another name on the club's radar.

Respected journalist Fabrizio Romano recently told GiveMeSport that Emery is planning to lure up to three more fresh faces to the club ahead of the fast-approaching transfer deadline.

There have been two acquisitions since the January window opened for business, with left-back Alex Moreno completing a £13.3million switch from Real Betis ahead of Jhon Duran arriving, pending a visa, in a £18.1million deal from Major League Soccer franchise Chicago Fire.

What has Alex Crook said about Villa's potential business?

Crook believes Villa are in the market for further reinforcements ahead of the transfer window closing at the end of the month as owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens are not afraid to splash the cash.

The journalist feels the plans put forward by Emery have left some of the club's current stars at risk of being forced out.

Crook told GiveMeSport: "I think they'll do a bit because we know that the owners are ambitious and Unai Emery is going to want to make his own stamp on the team.

"That is why I did the story suggesting that maybe the likes of Danny Ings could be vulnerable and he has ended up leaving."

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

Could there be Villa departures ahead of the deadline?

According to the Mirror, Emery is looking to offload Calum Chambers as his Villa overhaul continues.

The report suggests Morgan Sanson, Marvelous Nakamba, Ludwig Augustinsson and Jan Bednarek - who is on a season-long loan from Southampton - are also surplus to requirements.

Ings became the latest big-name to exit Villa when he completed a £15million switch to West Ham United on Friday.

Frederic Guilbert also left the club earlier this week, joining French side Strasbourg just days after reports emerged that his contract could be ripped up.

Meanwhile, Cameron Archer has linked up with Championship promotion-chasers Middlesbrough on a loan deal for the remainder of the campaign.

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