Aston Villa could target a centre-back in the January transfer window, insider Dean Jones has claimed.

What's the word?

Unai Emery has been active in the transfer market, bringing in left-back Alex Moreno from Real Betis, and is targeting further deals.

Villa have made a good start to life under the Spaniard but were humiliated by lower-league opposition as Stevenage knocked them out of the FA Cup earlier this month.

Speaking to Football FanCast earlier this week, Jones claimed that the centre of defence is an area they may look to strengthen, as their vulnerability was highlighted in the defeat against the League Two side.

He said: "I think centre-back is one that they're very open to addressing. This is a side that seemed to have flaws that can be exposed very easily.

"Obviously, when you've just been beaten at home by Stevenage, it's not a great look, and it makes you wonder how they're going to be able to cope with bigger challenges that are going to be coming their way in the very near future."

Injury woes

Summer signing Diego Carlos was set to add some real quality to the Villa backline, arriving as an experienced Europa League winner, but picked up a long-term injury early on and is still yet to return.

That will be highly anticipated, and if Villa do sign another defender in January, they could form a solid partnership at the back, with Moreno also coming in on the left as Emery seeks to revamp the defence.

Ezri Konsa, Calum Chambers and Tyrone Mings are also options, but the indications are that Emery would like a fresh face at the back as he makes his mark on the squad.

And judging by Jones' comments, perhaps their recent FA Cup exit has heightened the desire to strengthen the backline at Villa Park - though it remains to be seen how their activity in the remainder of the window will shape up.