4 Talking Points for Aston Villa's January Transfer Window

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As 2014 nears its end, Aston Villa will be among the many Premier League teams looking to start afresh in the new year. The most significant way to do that will be to take advantage of the winter transfer window at the start of 2015.

In recent years, the January window has been an underwhelming affair for Villa fans. The signings of the likes of Grant Holt, Simon Dawkins and Yacouba Sylla ultimately made little impact on Villas future. Not since the record-breaking singing of Darren Bent has Villa made a major acquisition in January.

This seasons window may not see Villa spend extravagantly, but it will be highly significant as the club is faced with a number of crucial decisions to make regarding the long-term future of someof their players.

Here are the major talking points for Aston Villa's upcoming winter transfer window.

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The uncertain futures of Villas captain and standout midfielder will be sure to induce plenty of anxiety around Villa Park this January. Both Ron Vlaar and Fabian Delph will be out of contract in the summer and have been incessantly rumoured to be leaving Birmingham.

Negotiations with both players have stalled, leaving Villa in a difficult spot. Both are key members of the team who are the best options at their positions, but losing them for free over the summer would be a devastating blow.

In the case of Vlaar, Villa would be wise to bite the bullet and sell the defender this January. Vlaar is undoubtedly an excellent player, but his stock will never be higher after his success with the Dutch national team at this summer's World Cup.

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4 Talking Points for Aston Villa's January Transfer Window