There is less than a month to go before the frantic January transfer window opens for business once again and Aston Villa could be in the market to improve their squad.

Unai Emery has entered the dugout to replace Steven Gerrard at the helm and next month is his first opportunity to make his own signings at Villa Park.

This means that it could be a busy month for the Villans if the Spaniard decides that he wants to stamp his own mark on the team with a number of additions.

However, he could save NSWE from splashing out millions on a new midfield signing by recalling Tim Iroegbunam from Queens Park Rangers.

Ashley Preece confirmed that the club do have a recall option for the England youth international and Emery could exercise it in January to bolster his options in the middle of the park.

Bringing the teenager back into the first-team fray for Villa would mean that the owners would be spared from having to spend millions of pounds on an addition in that area of the pitch, which is why unleashing the talented youngster could be a shrewd move by the former Villarreal coach.

The 19-year-old has caught the eye since moving to QPR on loan and could make the step up to the Premier League to provide competition in the middle of the park for Emery's side.

Back in October, London journalist Ian McCullough heaped praise on the youngster and his potential, telling the Birmingham Mail:

“Villa certainly have a player on their hands in Tim Iroegbunam. Although he has started just two games out of the five he has been available for since arriving on transfer deadline day, his ability to run with the ball from midfield and use those long legs to win tackles have been eye-catching.

“In possession he is very tidy and blessed with an excellent first touch giving credence to Mick Beale’s claim that he has the tools to play at the very highest level in years to come."

Iroegbunam, who only turned 19 in June, has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.89 across 13 Championship appearances this season, making 2.6 tackles and interceptions per match and winning 52% of his individual duels.

Steven Gerrard handed him a start against Norwich in the Premier League at the end of last season and he put in a sublime performance in the number six role. As per Sofascore, he won four of his six battles and made three tackles, two interceptions, and one clearance.

These statistics show that the enforcer, who was described as a physical "presence" by writer and podcaster PGR, has the potential to be a good option for Emery to call upon in the second half of the season.

Therefore, the Spanish coach must recall him from his spell with QPR and add the youngster to his first-team squad as it could provide extra competition in midfield whilst preventing the club from needing to spend millions on a new signing.