An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their interest in signing Alex Moreno in the January transfer window...

What's the talk?

According to GOAL, the Villans are currently locked in talks with Real Betis over a deal to sign the full-back and they are said to be 'on the right track' to securing an agreement as Unai Emery attempts to return to Spain to improve his side.

The report claims that the Spanish outfit are looking for a fee in the region of €15m (£13m) to allow the defender to leave and that they are open to doing business with the Premier League team.

It is stated that Betis are already looking at potential replacements for Moreno but no transfer has been finalised for the dynamo to move to England as of yet.

Lucas Digne upgrade

Emery could land an upgrade on current first-choice left-back Lucas Digne by sealing a swoop to bring the Spaniard to Villa Park before the end of the month.

The Telegraph's Matt Law described the move to sign Digne, after allowing Matt Targett to depart, as "questionable" and the ex-Everton man has been solid, if unspectacular, for the club since the deal went through.

He ranks in the worst 13 and 34 percentiles respectively amongst his positional peers in Europe's top five leagues over the last 365 days for tackles and blocks per 90. The defender also ranks in the very worst percentile for dribbles completed per 90, something that suggests he struggles to push the team up the pitch in transition and relies on his teammates to progress the ball.

Moreno, on the other hand, ranks in the 71st and 64th percentiles respectively for tackles and blocks per 90 and the 78th for dribbles completed.

The Spaniard also ranks higher than Digne for touches in the opposition's box but is below the Villa man in assists and expected assists per 90.

These statistics indicate that the Betis star would be an upgrade on the Frenchman from a defensive perspective, winning the ball back for his side and putting his body on the line with more regularity.

He'd also be a great deal better in transition, which could be particularly useful in counter-attacking situations where he can burst down the left after winning possession in a low block.

Therefore, Moreno would definitely improve Villa's defence and how they look to counter teams, which may be why Emery and the club are in talks to get this deal done.