Aston Villa have started life under Unai Emery very brightly indeed, having won three of the four league encounters since the Spaniard's arrival at the back end of October.

Most recently, the Villans sank Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 on enemy turf, and with the opening of the January transfer window, there is certainly plenty to be optimistic about within the Claret and Blue army.

With Emery likely to polish his outfit with his own sheen, there have been multiple names flying around the rumour mill, and vague intrigue could solidify into concrete interest over the coming weeks.

Previously, The Mirror reported that the Midlands outfit were targeting Dutch forward Arnaut Danjuma ahead of the January window, with Emery well accustomed to the dynamic ace's skill set having managed him at Villarreal before returning to the Premier League.

And now reports from Spain state that with Villa recently instigating transfer negotiations, a deal could be struck in the region of €50m (£44m), despite the rumoured release clause of €75m (£66m) within his current contract with the Yellow Submarine.

A game-changing signing

As transfer insider Dean Jones remarked to GIVEMESPORT at the end of 2022, the Dutchman could be a "game-changer" as far as the Midlands side are concerned.

Danjuma has been beset with consistent niggling injury setbacks this season, only playing 15 times, although he has still found the back of the net on five occasions for his Spanish outfit as he continues to exhibit his devastating dynamism.

However, last season the 25-year-old truly blossomed into his own with the club, netting 16 times and finding four assists from 34 outings, emerging as one of the Spanish La Liga's most ruthless forwards, also playing a pivotal role in a monumental Champions League campaign that saw a surge to the semi-finals.

His six goals in the continental competition were the driving force behind Villarreal's exploits, with his notable winner against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals proving to be decisive in advancing in a huge upset.

While Emery cannot currently offer him guaranteed European endeavours off the bat, there is the allure of working under the manager once again that gave him his most productive top-flight spell.

Indeed, under the 51-year-old, Danjuma scored 19 goals and assisted four more from 43 appearances, accounting for the vast majority of the 21 total goals he has forged for Villarreal.

He was branded a "nightmare" by Kevin Phillips for his robust aura and devastating presence along the offensive third, with Sofascore recording his performances in La Liga last term at 6.97, scoring ten times from just 17 starts.

And having signed for the club from AFC Bournemouth in August 2021 in a £21.3m deal, he has already paved the foundation for a successful career on English soil, having scored 17 goals and served eight assists from 52 appearances with the Cherries.

Emery must complete the signing, issuing in a new talisman who could become game-changing in Aston Villa's climb up the table.