Aston Villa will be hoping they can improve their fortunes this season as the second half of the 2024/25 campaign approaches. Unai Emery the side has not been at its best so far and may have struggled with the demands of Champions League football.
That’s something that might explain why they are eighth in the Premier Leaguewith only 32 points with a surprising minus two goal difference. Things could certainly have gone better for the Villans, although they started 2025 with a 2-1 win over Leicester City.
In order to give themselves a better chance for a successful season, Energy’s team could enter the transfer market this January. They are reportedly planning reinforcements to cover several bases.
Aston Villa January transfer news
The player in question is Japanese striker Taisei Miyashiro. The 24-year-old has impressed at his current club Vissel Kobe and could leave the club during the winter transfer window.
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According to journalist Graeme Baileythe former Japan under-20 international is ‘wanted by Aston Villa in January’, while Emery has been looking for reinforcements for a busy few weeks, with the deal recently ‘taking a step forward’.
This comes just a few days later broke the report that the Villans are targeting Borussia Dortmund striker Donyell Malen, although it remains to be seen if the deals are separated.
In any case, Villa News explains that the Midlands club are hoping to sign Miyashiro on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.
Why Miyashiro would be a good signing
The 24-year-old is an incredibly versatile player. Miyashiro would fit in well under Emery at Villa Park due to his ability to fill several roles in his famous 4-2-2-2 system, which has seen so much success during his tenure.
Namely, during his stay in Vissel Kobe, Miyashiro played in the positions of midfielder, left winger and center forward. according to Transfermarkt. He works a lot in the left half and contributes to goals.
He has appeared 46 times for the club so far and during that time he has a truly impressive 18 goals and one assist.
In Japan’s first league in 2024, he scored 11 times in 32 games, a truly impressive return. As journalist David Wyatt-Hupton saidhe is an “extremely talented” player.
His statistics on Sofascore from the J1 League in 2024 also make impressive reading. The 24-year-old has a conversion rate of 22% and is averaging 1.6 shots per game, creating five big chances which suggests he is unhappy not to have more than one assist.
Miyashiro also works hard off the ball, winning an average of 4.1 duels per game.
|
Statistics of Miyashiro in J1 League 2024 |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Number |
|
Objectives |
11 |
|
Shots per game |
1.6 |
|
Conversion rate |
22% |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Great chances were created |
5 |
|
Duels won per game |
4.1 |
|
Ball recovery per game |
2.6 |
|
Statistics from Sofascore |
|
He could form a deadly partnership with him Morgan Rogers if the Villans get this deal done over the line. This has been an excellent season for the Englishman so far, with Jamie Carragher describing him as a “machine” and an “unstoppable” force for the Midlands club.
The English representative has six goals and three assists in 19 Premier League games this expression, and his ability to carry the ball is a prominent feature of his game. According to Sofascoreaverages 2.1 dribbles per game.
This could lead to some interesting attacking rotations for the Villans. With Rogers starting as a number 10 and Miyashiro leading the line, the Japanese star could drop deeper into the left half and create space for Rogers to burst past him with the ball at his feet.
The Villans number 27 is also a creative player in the final third, and has created seven big chances this season. Adding someone like Miyashiro to the attack, who scored 11 league goals in 2024, could only increase his assist output and help Villa improve their goal difference.
Considering it’s a loan deal with an option to make it permanent at the end of the season, it seems risk-free for Villa. As the stats suggest, Miyashiro is a versatile and talented player, and could make a real difference to Emery’s side as they look to climb into the Premier League.
