Aston Villa target ‘explosive’ £29m star

Aston Villa they are set for a great second half of the 2024/25 season. Unai Emery the side have so far failed to quite replicate last season’s heroics when they finished fourth. They currently ranks eighth in the Premier Leaguewith 32 points to their name, four points behind Chelsea, who occupy last place in the Champions League.

They may need to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window in order to qualify for the Champions League again. Reports suggest they are interested in Oscar Mingueza and he could be the first reinforcement of the Villans.

They are also believed to be targeting attacking reinforcements this winter.

Attack target of Aston Villa

This is about the 24-year-old Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao. The Brazilian has impressed for the Dutch side so far this season and could now leave the club with several Premier League sides interested.

According to a report by CaughtOffsideVilla is one of the English Premier League clubs considering a move for the winger. The Brazilian, who is yet to make an appearance for his country, has ‘impressed’ scouts at the Midlands club and they could make a move for him before the window slams shut in February.

However, they will not be the only side trying to sign Paixao during the winter window. Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested, and the London couple Tottenham and West Ham have also scouted him.

Outside of England, Roma have also been linked with the winger. As for the price tag for the 24-year-old, he could cost anywhere from €35m (£29m).

Why Paixao would be a good signing

It’s been a really strong first half of the 2024/25 season for the Feyenoord winger. He has played 24 games in all competitions so far, he scored five goals and registered an impressive 13 assists.

The crafty winger made a run of five assists in as many Eredivisie games during November and December.

In the same period, he also registered an assist against Manchester City in Feyenoord’s incredible 3-3 draw at the Etihad Stadium, after trailing 3-0. Paixao assisted Slovakian defender David Hanck for the tying goal.

There is no doubt that the “explosive” wing, as described by football talent scout Jacek Kuligwould add firepower to an offense that already has several excellent players, incl Morgan Rogers.

The Villa star has been fantastic for Emery this term and has six goals and four assists in 25 games in all competitions.

Arguably his finest hour this season also came against Pep Guardiola’s City side. Rogers scored and assisted in the Villans’ 2-1 win over his former academy side earlier this season at Villa Park.

Statistical comparisons can be made between Villa number 27 and their reported target Paixao, with the pair noticed that they are similar players among those in their position in the Champions League this season, according to FBref.

The two are having excellent seasons in the Champions League and given their similar styles, their excellent ball handling and ability to create chances is reflected in the stats.

Both are creative machines, with the Feyenoord star averaging 2.63 key passes per game and Rogers slightly less, with 1.93. Indeed, their ball-handling skills are a key feature of their game. Paixao averages 2.11 progressive transfers per game, with the Villa striker just ahead of him, with 2.98 progressive transfers.

If the Villans win the race for Paixao, they will sign someone who is almost a carbon copy of Rogers the man Jamie Carragher described as “unstoppable” at the beginning of the season.

It would be an exciting addition for Emery’s side as they look to push for a top-four finish in the second half of the season.