Unai Emery reveals Aston Villa transfer window requirement

Villa remain in talks with Borussia Dortmund over winger Donyell Malen but Emery also wants to strengthen a defence which will be without Pau Torres for the next two months.

Scans confirmed the centre-back suffered a broken foot in Monday’s 2-2 draw with Brighton, while Emery will also be without Diego Carlos due to a minor knock for Saturday’s visit of Leicester.

Matty Cash remains Villa’s only senior right-back and that is an area Emery wants reinforcements after revealing teenager Kosta Nedeljkovic is likely to depart on loan.

The Serbia international has made just four Premier League appearances since joining from Red Star Belgrade last summer.

Emery said: “We have Kosta. But with him we have a plan.

“One option is for him to go on loan. In case he is going on loan because we planned it the last weeks we are also trying to find something on the right side.”

Torres’ injury is likely to prevent fellow centre-back Carlos, who was targeted by Fulham during the summer window, from leaving this month.

But the club’s business will again be dictated by the need to remain within this season’s PSR limits to avoid a repeat of last summer, when only the £42.5million sale of Douglas Luiz ensured they avoided a breach.

Villa’s early success in this year’s Champions League, where they are well placed to quality for the last-16, provides Emery with a little more wriggle room but any major incomings would need to be supplemented by outgoings.

Emery said: “We have to be intelligent. We were speaking about it in pre-season and last year. 

“We have to use different ways to increase and improve our level in the squad. 

“Of course, with Financial Fair Play there are sometimes circumstances which are stopping us. 

“But the idea is to keep moving forward. If we have to sell some players, do it. But always try to get someone who can improve you.”

Emery has confirmed winger Jaden Philogene could leave on loan this month with Ipswich among those clubs interested.

The 22-year-old academy product has struggled to make an impact since returning to Villa from Hull for £18m in the summer but while Emery is confident he will eventually come good, a loan to help his progression is a possibility.

Villa are also expected to send Louie Barry out to the Championship after recalling him from League One Stockport.

On Philogene’s situation, Emery said: “I believe in his potential. It is one option for him and the club (a loan) because there are lots of clubs interested in him. They believe in his potential. 

“We are not close (to agreeing a loan) and as a coach I am not really wanting to let him leave, but we are speaking about the different options. Maybe it (a loan) could be an option.

“My conversation was always to be patient, take time to improve things. 

“The adaptation is going slower than we wanted, but still in my mind the objective is to improve and help us here. Now it is January, it could be an option for him and the squad to let him leave."

Winger Lewis Dobbin has joined Norwich for the rest of the season following his recall from Albion.