Potential Aston Villa transfer is thrown into doubt as alternative emerges

Aston Villa defender Kosta Nedeljkovic has been linked with a move on loan to Spanish strugglers Valencia this January transfer window - but the prospect of that move coming to fruition has been cast into doubt after the relegation threatened La Liga side looked into a loan move for Bournemouth full-back Max Aarons.

Former Norwich City defender Aarons moved to the Vitality Stadium in the summer of 2023 for around £12m from the Canaries, but he has made only three appearances under Andoni Iraola this season with the Cherries flying in the Premier League. Those three appearances, including a single start, have totalled just 85 minutes of football.

The right-back is reportedly the subject of an agreement between Bournemouth and Valencia, who are now under the management of former West Brom boss Carlos Corberan but who are entrenched in a battle to remain in Spain's top tier while four points adrift of safety.

Valencia and Bournemouth have agreed to the loan of Aarons, and the Spanish side will have the option - but not the obligation - to sign the defender in the summer for a set fee of €9m, but in the first instance it is likely to mean, should the above deal be confirmed, that Nedeljkovic won't be heading to the Mestalla.

Unai Emery has indicated previously that the teenager, who signed for the club a year ago before joining up with the squad in the summer from Red Star Belgrade, could well leave on loan this month in order to ensure he is better exposed to first-team minutes on a more regular basis, something which simply can't be guaranteed or afforded at Villa.

"With Kosta we have a plan," Emery said of the right-back last week. "Firstly it was to do the pre-season, secondly we decided to keep him in the squad for the first part of the season. I think he will need to get minutes, get confidence and feel comfortable playing and here it is difficult for him to get it.

"One option is to let him go on loan. In case he is going on loan, as we planned it in the last weeks, we are as well trying to find something for the right side."

Villa, who are after another defender and are interested in Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza, also have Enzo Barrenechea already on loan at Valencia; the Argentine has since been called up to represent his country while in La Liga this season and has made 10 appearances.

What should Villa do with Kosta this month? Tell us HERE

Buy your Aston Villa 150th anniversary commemorative kit

Aston Villa have released a special commemorative kit to celebrate the club's 150th anniversary - and you can get your hands on one now.

The club is continuing its season-long celebration on Friday night when Unai Emery's side host West Ham in the FA Cup. To mark the fixture, which is nearly 150 years to the day of their first-ever recorded match, players will wear a one-off black kit.

It's the colour Villa first used for their kits before the transition to claret and blue colours. The shirts will also feature adidas' Aeroready technology as well as the famous three stripes in all black.

Buy your commemorative Villa kit HERE