With a loan deal in place and a reported medical completed for Philippe Coutinho with apparent negotiations set to begin for the potential signing of Everton left-back Lucas Digne, Aston Villa have been very busy in the 2022 January transfer window so far.

Looking ahead to the rest of the window, it seems as though Villa have their eyes on signing yet another player this month that also has experience of playing in the Premier League which some Villa fans will be pleased to hear.

What's the news?

According to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth, Villa are "in talks" to sign a back-up 'keeper during the winter window.

Speaking live on Sky Sports News on Monday, he said: "We're told they're in talks to sign the West Ham United goalkeeper, Darren Randolph."

Sheth also revealed that if a deal can be struck for Randolph this month, Villa could then allow current goalkeeper Jed Steer to leave on loan so he can get regular game time.

Randolph originally joined West Ham back in the 2015 summer window from Birmingham City on a free transfer. The Hammers then sold him to Middlesbrough in the summer of 2017 before buying him back in the 2020 January window.

Smart work from Villa

Overall, the 34-year-old, who is currently valued at £900k according to Transfermarkt, has made a total of 52 appearances for the east London club, keeping 15 clean sheets in the process.

With 34 Premier League appearances under his belt, it would be smart work from Villa to have a back-up option for Emi Martinez, who has played in all but one of their 19 league games so far this season. And when considering the experience of the top-flight that Randolph possesses, he very much fits the bill.

He's made no appearances in any competition for David Moyes' side so far this season with Lukasz Fabianski and Alphonse Areola ahead of him in the pecking order, but a move to Villa could give Randolph more of a chance to get some games under his belt should anything happen to Martinez.

If Villa do manage to secure a deal for the Irons stopper and then manage to get Steer, who filled in for Martinez in Villa's 3-0 defeat against Chelsea back in September, out on loan and get some regular minutes, this could end up being a solid and fairly low-risk deal for the Midlands club to make.

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