While Aston Villa managed to secure deals for four new senior players throughout the recent January transfer window, there was one standout pursuit that the Midlands club were unable to complete.

Having been linked with a move for Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus, Villa were unable to strike a deal and agree terms with the Italian club for the Uruguay midfielder, who has since made the move to fellow Premier League club Tottenham.

Despite this disappointment, one current midfielder at Villa who will have surely been pleased that Bentancur didn't end up making the move to the club is Morgan Sanson, who arguably has a new lifeline moving forward following the failed pursuit of the Juventus ace.

Since joining the Villans last January from French club Marseille in a deal worth a reported £16m, the 27-year-old has only made 16 appearances across all competitions after struggling with illness and injury issues.

With just six appearances and two starts in the Premier League under his belt so far this season, it's safe to say that game-time has not been particularly plentiful for the Frenchman, and it would have presumably been even harder to come by had Bentancur joined Steven Gerrard's squad in January.

Taking that into account, and with Marvelous Nakamba still out injured, the next few weeks could be vital for the 27-year-old - who is currently picking up £59k-per-week according to Salary Sport - and his Villa career if he can make the most out of any opportunities which come his way.

However, with WhoScored currently listing the Frenchman as one of the lowest-rated players in Gerrard's squad with an overall performance rating of 6.34/10, this suggests that he will need to vastly improve his displays on the pitch if he wants to have any chance of becoming an important figure in the team and end his season on a high note.

If he isn't able to do that, Sanson could then find his place at the club under question should the manager not think that he has what it takes to help Villa to progress.

In other news: Lange heading for unforgivable Aston Villa disaster, Gerrard would surely be furious