Even though Aston Villa have been fairly active in the current January transfer window, having brought in the likes of Lucas Digne, Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen, there are still some areas where Steven Gerrard would ideally like to strengthen, such as centre-back and defensive midfield.

However, with just 10 days left until the window closes, it seems as though the Midlands club can forget about signing one of their reported targets this month.

What's the latest?

In a recent online Q&A for Birmingham Live, Villa journalist Ashley Preece was asked if there is any news on the possibility of the club making a move to sign Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez this month, after previous links emerged suggesting that Steven Gerrard's side were interested in bringing the 24-year-old to Villa Park.

In response, Preece said: "Gomez not happening this month, Villa could go back in in the summer, depending if the centre-back wants a fresh challenge away from Anfield."

Since joining Liverpool back in 2015 from Charlton Athletic, Gomez has gone on to make 132 appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side across all competitions, winning a Premier League title and the Champions League along the way.

Taking into account how he has only made 11 appearances for the Merseyside club across all competitions so far this season, with no starts in the Premier League, a move to Villa could have been rather tempting for the 24-year-old, especially if he would be guaranteed regular game-time under Gerrard's guidance.

Gerrard will be fuming

Given how Villa only have three senior centre-backs in their squad at the moment after Axel Tuanzebe had his loan spell cut short by Manchester United earlier this month, Gerrard will surely be fuming that the Villans haven't been able to secure a deal for Gomez to come in and strengthen their options at the back.

Looking ahead to the remainder of the transfer window, Gerrard will definitely be concerned if the club don't bring at least one centre-back in for the rest of the campaign, especially with Villa having conceded 32 goals in the Premier League so far - more than the likes of Burnley, Crystal Palace and Brighton.

In other news: Gerrard could strike gold at Villa by signing £63m-rated "total package"