Aston Villa plan January raid for Chukwueze as manager Emery looks to join up with him again

ENGLISH Premier League side Aston Villa are said to be preparing an audacious bid for Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze during the forthcoming January transfer window with manager Unai Emery keen to reunite with the player.

Appointed as Villa manager on October 24, Mr Emery once manager Spanish side Villarreal, where Chukwueze was one of his favourite players. Chukwueze played 94 matches with Mr Emery in the Villarreal dugout, scoring 14 goals and providing 15 assists and it appears that the manager wants to revive their relationship.

Yesterday, Chukwueze showed Villa fans what he is about when the two sides clashed in a mid-season friendly at Villa Park.  Etienne Capoue scored the only goal of the game after 78 minutes, while Ollie Watkins saw an effort ruled out for the home side and Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia were both denied by the woodwork.

Villarreal boss Quique Setien fielded a strong starting line-up, handing starts to Chukwueze and another Nigerian-born player in Arnaut Danjuma, alongside Gerard Moreno upfront.  In a cagey first half with few scoring chances, Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen produced a brilliant save to deny Chukwueze before the break but it would not have counted anyway as the winger was offside in the build-up.

Earlier, Gerard had got the ball in the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for offside. Mr Setien made six changes midway through the second half, one of which saw Chukwueze replaced and this paid off as 13 minutes from time, Etienne Capoue, the former Tottenham Hotspurs and Watford, midfielder, scored the winning goal with a low effort after a defensive error by Villa.