Villa lining up “dangerous” Osula as Emery sharpens his January attack

Make no mistake, Aston Villa aren’t content just to admire the view from third place — Unai Emery wants more teeth up top, and Newcastle’s William Osula is firmly on the radar. MailOnline report the Midlands club are keen on the Danish forward as they seek to bolster their frontline in the January window.

Why Emery wants another striker

Ollie Watkins remains the main man through the middle, while Donyell Malen has filled in at times but looks happier stretching play from the flanks. After that 4-1 bruiser against leaders Arsenal, Emery won’t let standards dip. He’s after a natural No 9 to push Watkins, keep the press sharp and ensure Villa can rotate without losing bite.

Osula’s Newcastle stalemate

Osula’s path at St James’ Park has been cluttered. First, he was jostling with Alexander Isak for minutes; now Eddie Howe can also call on Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade, nudging the Dane further down the queue. It’s little wonder he’s been short on rhythm. Previously lauded as “dangerous” by Breaking The Lines, he looks a player in need of a proper run — and Villa could be the stage.

Didn’t this nearly happen already?

It did, almost. Word after the summer window was that Villa had an agreement in place before the move fell apart late on. Since then, Osula has struggled to lay down a marker, with competition only growing on Tyneside. The situation feels ripe for a revisit.

How he fits Emery’s plan

Emery’s football thrives on control without losing incision. Osula offers direct running, aggression in transition and the willingness to press from the front — a tidy complement to Watkins. Think horses for courses: Watkins from the start against deeper blocks, Osula to stretch legs late or start when Villa want to go more vertical. And with Malen more natural out wide, the balance improves.

Villa’s forward room and the Alysson factor

Villa have already tucked away one for tomorrow by landing teenage winger Alysson from Grêmio for around £10m. He’s a lively addition, but at 19 he’s one for the coaching ground and cup minutes rather than the heavy lifting right now. That’s exactly why another senior option makes sense this winter.

Momentum matters

Watkins’ brace off the bench against Chelsea underlined the standards at Villa Park. But if this campaign is to stretch into spring silverware chats, Emery will want more than one trusted line-leader. Osula, hungry for minutes, ticks plenty of boxes.

Transfer talk is heating up in B6. If you’re weighing up the odds on where Osula lands, our guide to the best betting sites has you covered.

The deal: loan or permanent?

Newcastle’s stance will dictate terms. A loan with an option would let Villa test the fit without breaking stride; a permanent move would need the numbers to stack, especially mid-season. Either way, there’s a clear lane: Osula wants football, Villa want firepower.

Pundit’s verdict

For a side sitting pretty in third, this is a savvy, grown-up move. Emery isn’t chasing fireworks — he’s building depth. Osula won’t walk in ahead of Watkins, but he could be the difference between hanging on in tight fixtures and putting games to bed. If the price is right, pull the trigger.