EPL Transfer Rumours: 5 Players Linked to Join Aston Villa in January

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After a solid start to the season, Aston Villa need to push on and secure themselves a top-half finish. After selling off Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, a top half finish would be a good season's work for Alex Mcleish.

The trouble is, Mcleish still hasn't exactly endeared himself to the Villa faithful. His brand of football is seen as negative and boring. To address that, Mcleish needs a good final position in the Premiership.

To push on from the start they have had, Mcleish needs to bring in some fresh faces in the January transfer window.

Here are five players Villa are rumoured to be looking at, with ratings on how good each potential signing would be for the club.

Who do you think Alex Mcleish be looking to sign? Where do the Villains need to strengthen? Comment below!

Gylfi Sigurdsson

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Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson already has experience with the English game, as he spent the early part of his career at Reading.

Sigurdsson would add a much-needed goal threat from midfield for Villa. In his first season at Hoffenheim, Sigurdsson netted 15 times.

He has made a habit of scoring from long-range and free kicks, and could bring some excitement back to Villa Park—something that has been lacking this season.

If given the money, Mcleish should make Sigurdsson his top priority. Villa's midfield has not recovered from losing Downing and Young over the summer and Sigurdsson, while a different kind of threat to the wingers, could take the premiership by storm.

Transfer Rating: 10/10. Mcleish and Lerner should do everything they can to secure Sigurdsson's signature.

Markus Henriksen

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Another midfielder catching the eye of Villa scouts is Markus Henriksen. Rosenborg's teenager has been attracting the attention of teams all over Europe, with Napoli also looking to secure the teenager's signature.

The 19-year-old has already played for Norway twice and, like Sigurdsson, is good at breaking forwards into the box.

Henriksen is a good prospect and shows that Mcleish is aiming to build a squad with some depth—a problem that Villa managers have been crowing about for as long as anyone can remember.

Transfer Rating: 8/10. A player with a bright future, Villa's management should be trying hard to ensure he is in claret and blue come February.

Simon Poulsen

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Mcleish is rumoured to be looking at AZ full-back Simon Poulsen to bolster his options on the left.

The Dane has electrifying pace and, as an attacking full-back, can provide a real threat down the left side of the pitch, even though his final ball is not excellent.

He is a competent defender, but would he be any improvement on Stephen Warnock? I doubt it, and this signing wouldn't excite many Villa fans. On the other hand, Poulsen is comfortable as a left winger as well as a left-back and would provide solid cover on the left flank.

Transfer Rating: 6/10. Poulsen provides something a bit different down the left flank and would be a good signing. He should not be a priority, however.

Lewis Dunk

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One of the most sought-after players in the football league is currently Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk.

Aston Villa are just one of the clubs looking at Dunk, with Fulham, Arsenal and Manchester United all linked to the 20-year-old.

With Richard Dunne reaching the twilight of his career, Dunk could be the man to fill his shoes, and could join Ciaran Clark to form a centre-back pairing of great potential.

After starting the season in blistering form, Dunk has tailed off slightly. This may be a good thing for potential suitors, as the transfer fee may not be too exorbitant.

Transfer Rating: 7/10. As long as Brighton don't charge a ridiculous fee, Dunk appears to be a solid prospect for the future.

Steven Davis

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Yet another central midfielder linked with the Villains is Rangers' Steven Davis. Davis's career tailed off after he was named Villa's player of the year for the 2005-06 season, but he has rebuilt his reputation after spending five years in Glasgow.

At a reported £4 million, Davis wouldn't represent a massive outlay for Randy Lerner, but I am not convinced he is worth it.

Davis offers nothing new for Villa. He doesn't possess the attacking threat of Gylfi Sigurdsson or the potential of Markus Henriksen. He has looked impressive at times in Scotland, but by English standards, all he represents is an average player.

Transfer Rating: 4/10. The only reason to be looking at Davis is if all other options fall through