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With almost two weeks gone in the 2022 January transfer window, Villa have managed to secure a loan agreement for Philippe Coutinho and are currently in negotiations to sign Everton left-back Lucas Digne, showing just how keen the Midlands club are at improving their squad wherever possible.

However, there have been some departures from the club, one of which being defender Axel Tuanzebe, who had his loan spell at Villa cut short from Manchester United and has since moved to Italian club Napoli after failing to get assurances from Steven Gerrard about his playing time.

Taking this into account, it has led Villa journalist Gregg Evans to share a claim regarding the club’s January transfer plans for the remainder of the window which may delight a lot of fans and Gerrard.

What’s the news?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Evans had this to say on the matter, confirming an exciting development in their plans for the winter.

He said: “They’re obviously going to be short on centre-backs with Axel Tuanzebe moving. So, that will be an area they look at now. In terms of who they’re after at centre-back, I don’t know yet, but there’s still 20-odd days in the window to go.”

Delight for Gerrard

Since joining Villa once again on loan back in the previous summer transfer window, Tuanzebe had played in seven league games under former Villa boss Dean Smith but was only given eight minutes of league action since Gerrard was appointed back in mid-November, proving why a move away was probably the best option for him.

In an ideal world, Villa will be able to sign a centre-back this month that will not only be able to take Tuanzebe’s place in the squad but also be able to rival the likes of Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings for a regular spot in Gerrard’s starting XI. However, that may be difficult to find.

Though, given Villa’s early activity in the window, this will surely give a lot of fans some hope that their club will be able to sign a suitable central defender before the window closes, in turn providing their manager with enough strength and depth in that position to go full throttle throughout the remainder of the season and end as high up the table as they can.

It’s evident the Villans could do with some more options in that third of the pitch and if Johan Lange does add more bodies to the defence, it will surely leave Gerrard and his coaching staff elated at how January has panned out.

There aren’t too many holes in the Liverpudlian’s squad but Villa’s backline clearly lacks the necessary talent.

In other news: Gerrard can repeat AVFC’s Coutinho masterclass by signing “relentless” 69-goal machine – opinion

In an interview this week, Rafa Benitez was asking a poignant question. Would Everton supporters afford him less time because of his connections to the red corner of Merseyside?

After labelling the Toffees a ‘small club’ during his stint in charge of Liverpool the emphatic should have been an emphatic, ‘yes.’

Instead, the Spaniard disagreed with the statement, suggesting that they’d actually afford him more time at Goodison Park because they appreciate what he’s already done in the city.

However, after a catastrophic 4-1 defeat to their local rivals on Wednesday, it marked the nadir of Benitez’s short tenure at Everton so far.

The pressure is ramping up on his job and according to some outlets, he will be facing the axe in the not too distant future. However, owner Farhad Moshiri has rejected any speculation, claiming that he will be given time to sort out this mess.

As some may remember, though, that isn’t necessarily a bad sign. As Sky Sports reporter Alan Myers reminded us on Thursday afternoon, Moshiri said similar things about Ronald Koeman before sacking him just 21 days later.

If the same eventuality befalls Benitez then there will surely be no shortage of candidates for the role. Frank Lampard and Kasper Hjulmand have already been touted as potential replacements, while Nuno Santo, a man linked with the job in the summer, is also thought to be on their radar still.

The man who should be front and centre of the boardroom’s thoughts if they do get rid of the current head coach, however, is Graham Potter.

The 46-year-old was naturally touted with the Goodison outfit a few months ago after Carlo Ancelotti exited and should he still be on Everton’s radar, he’d be the perfect replacement.

After all, there is a reason he and his style of play have been described as “exceptional” by Jurgen Klopp.

He took Ostersunds in Sweden from a club languishing in the lower tiers, built them up and subsequently steered them to European football, eventuality beating Arsenal on a famous night at the Emirates in the Europa League.

Since then, he has gained experience in England with Swansea and Brighton, earning a reputation for possession-based football.

The Athletic understands that some figures at Everton are currently growing tired of the “ugly football” on display from their team but Potter would undoubtedly be able to correct that mantra.

His Brighton side have seen 56.7% of the ball on average this term, the fifth-highest tally in the whole division. The trouble is, they don’t have a genuine goal-scorer in the team. The Seagulls have only found the net on 13 occasions in 14 matches this season.

They have no issue creating chances and thus, if Potter arrives at Goodison in the coming weeks or months, he could finally have the answer to his woes in 2021/22.

Everton have plenty of players capable of fashioning chances, namely in Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray. Fortunately, they also have a player capable of scoring goals on a regular basis; Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

He has been out injured since the fourth match of the campaign but would surely relish playing under a possession-orientated coach in Potter.

If Benitez goes then the Brighton manager simply has to be the man they turn to. He has revolutionised the south coast side as they sat 7th in the Premier League prior to Thursday’s fixtures, a position that Everton should be aiming for themselves.

AND in other news, Forget Coleman: Everton lightweight who lost 91% duels may have just cost Rafa his job…

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has delivered a promising update on the future of Aston Villa starlet Carney Chukwuemeka.

What’s the story?

The 18-year-old has been involved in the past two Premier League games for Steven Gerrard’s side this season, and now, Preece has claimed that he still expects Chukwuemeka to commit his future to the club.

He said: “A fantastic point; it was all set to be done but Smith wasn’t bringing him on in games prior to him leaving. Pressure was mounting at that time. Carney’s reps said they were in no rush knowing his current deal runs to 2023. I was the reporter who asked Gerrard about his situation last week post-Man City and his reaction was telling, as if he had a direct message to Carney’s agents saying to keep quiet and let him get on with his footy.

“I still expect Carney to commit, though.”

Villa fans will be buzzing

Given that reports from earlier this year had suggested that some of the biggest clubs both in the Premier League and from abroad were keeping an eye on Chukwuemeka’s contract situation at Villa Park, news that he is still expected to put pen to paper on a new deal is sure to leave Villa fans buzzing.

In fact, speaking after he made an appearance against Manchester City, Gerrard himself said: “I think we just need to let the kid play football, let him evolve, let him grow. I think we’ve shown what we think of the kid (on Wednesday night), shown our belief and confidence in him at this level of game.

“But we believe this is the right place for him and if anyone else thinks it’s not I’d like to sit in front of them and discuss that because he’s a local lad and he’s enjoying it. He’s enjoyed the last two weeks – I spoke to him face-to-face and we’ve told him that if he keeps performing he’ll be very much part of the first team set-up so I don’t foresee a problem and I certainly don’t want a problem to brew in the background. And, for me, I don’t think it will.”

With the teenager now being given more of a taste of first-team football under Gerrard, there really isn’t any more reason for Chukwuemeka to feel he would be better served by leaving for elsewhere.

He is an exceptional talent, once dubbed as one of the best in his age group in the country by Christian Purslow and his underlying numbers reveal why.

In just five Premier League 2 appearances this term, he has registered two goals and two assists while his ten strikes and eight goals in only 28 outings for the U18 side is something to be marvelled at.

With those statistics in mind, it’s clear that the teenager possesses an abundant amount of potential, meaning if he does stay in the Midlands, the Villa Park faithful will be delighted.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has dropped an Aston Villa transfer update…

Antonio Conte wants to bring Gareth Bale back to Tottenham Hotspur for a third time, according to reports…

What’s the word?

Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda has told Spanish outlet El Chiringuito, via OKDARIO, that the 52-year-old rejected the opportunity to sign Real Madrid flop Eden Hazard on loan following a suggestion from chairman Daniel Levy and instead asked for the former Spurs star.

“He wanted to sign Eden Hazard, but Conte has told him no because he knows him from when he trained at Chelsea and says that he has little intensity and that he is not a very hard worker,” he claimed.

“The most striking thing is the player that Conte has asked Levy to take him to London is Gareth Bale. Bale ends his contract at the end of the season, but in winter it would not be free.”

There are no plans to extend the Welshman’s contract at the Bernabeu, so there is an increasing possibility that he will be looking for a new club come to the summer and after a successful loan stint in N17 last term, perhaps another reunion could be on the cards.

Imagine him and Kane

This would be an intriguing decision from Conte and co but one that does make sense. You could argue that the Lilywhites failed to replace Bale during the summer as he actually provided plenty of goals and menace in the final third.

And that’s where the Italian’s biggest issue lies right now.

His side have not registered a shot on target in the Premier League in nearly four hours, with their last goal coming over five hours ago.

Only one team has scored fewer goals (nine) this season, Norwich City (five) and similarly, the north Londoners rank last for average shots per game (10.1), as per WhoScored.

Last season, Bale was their third-highest goalscorer with 11 goals in the Premier League and three goals in the Europa League, with only Heung-min Son and Harry Kane managing more.

After the trio, no other player found the net more than three times in the league, which is rather damning. It seems that is a problem that still lingers in N17 as Son has scored four goals in the top-flight, with four other players sitting on the solitary goal.

In total, Bale found the net 16 times and averaged a direct contribution once every 87 minutes, via Transfermarkt, which is pretty outstanding and is more reason to suggest why he could fix Conte’s big issue.

After a hat-trick against Sheffield United, former Premier League marksman Alan Shearer waxed lyrical about the 32-year-old on Match of the Day. “It was a magnificent performance. It was the very best of Gareth Bale, it had everything, the running off the ball, work rate and his finishing was lethal,” he said (via football.london).

Even ex-manager Jose Mourinho dubbed the 6 foot 1 winger “remarkable” for his “incredible” impact at the club, both on and off the pitch, so that’s certainly another factor that bolsters Spurs’ claims to re-sign him for the third time.

Capped 99 times by Wales and valued at just £9m by Transfermarkt, Bale could be exactly what’s needed to help get Kane and co firing again.

Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici could form a deadly duo up top by bringing the Wales star and the England skipper together again.

AND in other news, “One of Conte’s requests”: Spurs plot “extraordinary” signing, fans should be thrilled…

Michael Salisbury will be the man in the middle when Crystal Palace host Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, and a number of Palace fans have been reacting to the news on social media.

Salisbury is yet to take charge of a top-flight fixture, so the clash at Selhurst Park will be his first, with the former teacher only starting to officiate in the EFL during the 2016/17 season.

He has shown 30 cards in just eight games in all competitions during the current campaign, five of which have been red cards.

Palace will put their unbeaten home record under Patrick Vieira on the line against Steven Gerrard’s side, with the Eagles recently having issues with a relatively new Premier League referee this season in Darren England.

He took charge of Palace’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle last month and ruled out Christian Bentke’s late header following a foul in the build-up.

Palace fans react

Reliable Villa reporter Ashley Preece shared the news regarding Salisbury’s appointment on Twitter on Wednesday morning.

Here is what these Palace fans had to say in reply to the update, with one labelling it as ‘awful news’ and a few comparing it to when England was in charge against Newcastle.

“Oh man I can’t wait for a repeat of the Newcastle fiasco. They love using mid table clubs as guinea pigs”

Credit: @Phillyconcarne

“Given we have previous with Villa, this is a terrible appointment.”

Credit: @MarcWilliams22

“Awful news, the making his debut for our game against Newcastle was shocking. Not even biased, just a poor referee”

Credit: @GeorgeHilder1

“This is gonna be so bad… another don that doesn’t know what he’s doing officiating our game”

Credit: @AlfieVincent13

“Oh joy! Hope he’s better than the last rookie to rock up at Selhurst. Surely he can’t be worse than that Darren England fella against Newcastle! ”

Credit: @red_blue_review

“We all know that one teacher who can’t handle his class so goes around handing out detentions”

Credit: @Dave_Winbod

In other news: Palace in talks with £9m worth of talent after Vieira gives the ‘green light’

Fabrizio Romano believes Tottenham Hotspur are very much still interested in Dusan Vlahovic, despite sporting director Fabio Paratici claiming otherwise…

What’s the word?

Earlier this week, the Italian supremo poured cold water on Spurs’ mooted interest in the Fiorentina talisman, claiming to Festival dello Sport (via Romano): “Dusan Vlahovic is appreciated by many clubs, it’s normal – he’s not in our plans, for now.”

However, the transfer guru has dropped a fresh claim during a recent episode of the ‘Here We Go’ podcast that seems to refute such comments.

“Vlahovic is a bit different. The feeling I have because what he [Paratici] said is that ‘he is not in our plans for now’ and in Paratici language that means he is pursuing the player,” revealed the Italian journalist.

“We know about it because last summer, Tottenham were really interested in Vlahovic. They were looking at him as [a] potential Harry Kane backup, not [a] replacement.

“Tottenham are still following this boy, as are Atletico Madrid and other English clubs, and Italian clubs, so there will be a big fight for Vlahovic. Let’s see if it’ll be January or next summer but he is leaving Fiorentina.”

Sneaky Paratici

This latest development should leave much of the Lilywhites faithful on the edge of their seats and whilst it may come as a surprise, it is well-known Paratici operates in this manner.

Harry Kane has struggled for goals in the Premier League so far this campaign, failing to find the net in five starts, but he still does not have a viable senior backup behind him, with Nuno Santo sometimes turning to 17-year-old gem Dane Scarlett in other competitions.

Vlahovic is a firm contender to fill such a void and it would certainly give the Portuguese coach another valuable option to either start alongside the England talisman or to replace him from the bench.

The 21-year-old scored a whopping 21 goals in 37 appearances in the Serie A side last season and has continued such form into the new campaign, where he has found the net a further six times in just eight matches, as per Transfermarkt.

La Viola’s goal machine has been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, which is hardly a surprise given his 6 foot 3 slender frame, whilst former Italy international Christian Vieri believes he’s the strongest young forward in Europe, behind Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

Dubbed a “complete number nine” by Italian football expert Conor Clancy to This is Futbol, Vlahovic could well be in Spurs’ sights despite Paratici trying to throw off the scent and that ultimately should leave many supporters thrilled.

AND in other news, Nuno may have his own Varane in “talented” 18 y/o gem who can help Spurs save millions…

Everton want to sign Iddrisu Baba from RCD Mallorca in January, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.net.

The lowdown

25-year-old defensive midfielder Baba has featured in all 12 of Mallorca’s La Liga fixtures so far this season, starting 10.

Baba has been even compared to his compatriot Thomas Partey, who joined Arsenal in 2020, by Sports World Ghana.

He has three years to run on his contract and is valued at just £2.25million by Transfermarkt.

The latest

Benitez has asked Everton to bring in Baba, say reports in Spain, and the club are aware that his performances will soon catch the eye of ‘several’ other teams, so they want to tie up a deal at the first opportunity.

It will apparently take a ‘significant amount’ of money to convince Mallorca to part with him.

The player, for his part, considers the Premier League a ‘very attractive’ proposition, so he’d be open the move.

The verdict – Possible Gbamin replacement

Former Mallorca manager Vicente Moreno has hailed the ‘reliable’ Babu for the industry and defensive protection he provides.

The stats attest to this: he’s averaging 2.8 tackles, 1.4 clearances and 1.1 interceptions per 90 minutes so far this season (via WhoScored).

For Everton he could represent a cheap replacement for Jean-Phillipe Gbamin, who’s yet to show he can be a dependable option.

The injury-riddled midfielder made his first league start under Benitez on Monday against Wolves, only to be taken off at half-time.

In other news, Everton are also keen on this Ligue 1 star. 

Everton are hopeful of intervening in Nabil Fekir’s contract negotiations with Real Betis, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.net. 

The lowdown

Fekir has contributed two goals and two assists so far in 2021/22 for a Betis side that sits 10th in La Liga.

The name will ring a few bells on Merseyside given that Fekir came very close indeed to signing for Liverpool in 2018.

The 28-year-old is valued at £22.5million by Transfermarkt and his current contract runs until June 2023.

The latest

Negotiations over a new deal are said to be ‘advanced’, with the Frenchman ‘very happy’ in his current surroundings and confident in the project.

However, his ‘excellent’ start to the season has ‘sparked the interest’ of ‘several’ Premier League clubs, and the landscape could change if a ‘powerful financial offer arrives’.

Marcel Brands and co have ‘great aspirations’ in the transfer market and have added Fekir to their list of targets – they of course spent very little in this summer’s window.

They face competition from two London outfits in the form of West Ham United and Arsenal.

The verdict

Where would Fekir slot into this Everton team if Brands gets a deal over the line? Well, you’d naturally assume that he’d play just behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Demarai Gray may have thrived in that role recently but he can be shifted out wide if needed.

You don’t look at the rival suitors here and worry that Everton may get blown out of the water. In fact, Rafael Benitez probably holds more pulling power than David Moyes or Mikel Arteta.

In other news, Michael Ball has lavished praise on this Everton star who has ‘everything’.

When Celtic signed Dedryck Boyata for a fee of £1.5m back in the summer of 2015, it very much appeared as if the Bhoys had secured something of a bargain.

Indeed, the centre-back had made 35 appearances for Premier League giants Manchester City after graduating from the Citizens’ academy, had been capped at international level by Belgium and was described by the former Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle – under whom Boyata spent a season on loan – as a “wonderful young talent.”

Coyle’s belief turned out to be accurate, as the now 30-year-old highly impressed during his four-season spell at Parkhead, making a total of 135 appearances for the Bhoys, scoring 15 goals and registering nine assists, as well as winning four consecutive Scottish Premiership titles and six domestic cup competitions with the Hoops.

However, after reportedly falling out with then Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers at the start of his final year while contracted with Celtic, and despite Neil Lennon’s hopes that the centre-back would pen a new deal, Boyata ran down his contract in Glasgow, joining Hertha Berlin on a free transfer in the summer of 2019.

Since his move to Germany, Boyata has further enhanced his reputation as a top-level defender, so far making 54 appearances for the Bundesliga side, being made club captain and seeing his Transfermarkt value rocket from £1.8m at the time of leaving Celtic to £7.2m today.

As such, Celtic’s decision to allow Boyata to enter the final year of his contract at Parkhead without tying down the £42k-per-week man to fresh terms appears to have been rather costly for the club. As, should the Bhoys have indeed convinced the centre-back to stay on in Glasgow, they would more than likely have received a significant transfer fee for his services – such as the £9m Fulham offered for him back in 2018.

However, with the Hoops now at least £7.2m out of pocket on the defender, it is a fairly easy argument to make that the club endured something of a nightmare when waving goodbye to a player who Jan Vertonghen dubbed an “immense” talent for absolutely nothing two years ago.

In other news: Forget Jota: Celtic’s “orchestra conductor” who made 2 key passes stole show vs ‘Well

Many Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter following an official club post showing images of Conor Gallagher from their last two matches.

The 21-year-old has made an excellent start to life in southeast London since his season-long loan move from Chelsea, registering three goal contributions in four games.

Those were marked in clever fashion by the Eagles’ official Twitter channel, with the first letter O in ‘Conor’ replaced by a football emoji to signify his brace against West Ham, and then a capital A in his surname to mark his assist in the weekend win over Tottenham.

The emoji-laden pun was duly accompanied by images of him celebrating a goal against the Irons and playing a pass in the victory over Spurs respectively.

In light of the official club post, loads of Crystal Palace fans took to Twitter to express their delight at the post, and indeed Gallagher’s performances so far at the club.

Palace fans react

Replying to the official Crystal Palace Twitter account, here is what some fans had to say about the “perfect” midfielder:

“I think he will end up staying with us.”

Credit: @CPFCSaint1976″There is going to be heartbreak at the end of this season. This guy is something else”Credit: @apfarrington”If Loftus-Cheek was given his shot at Chelsea, Conor 100% will also be going back. I don’t think he’ll be here next year, especially if he keeps up these performances”Credit: @CPFC_WH”Just throw £30m at him, perfect McArthur replacement”Credit: @paIaceawayy”This boy is incredible”Credit: @cjbearcpfc”One of our recent greatest imports. Hope we can keep him with us for longer”Credit: @RonaldOkoth__In other news, the timeline for the return of a Crystal Palace player from injury has been revealed. Find out more here.