The Christmas turkey is finished and Aston Villa find themselves right in the title race.

That's not something anyone would have expected when they spluttered through the first month of the season, scoring one goal and picking up only three points in five games.

But since then their record is played 13, won 12, lost one - to the reigning champions at Anfield. Morgan Rogers has been a player of the season candidate, famous victories have been recorded against Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, and they have as good a chance as anyone else of taking the crown in May.

But we've been here before - this time two years ago they went second after a 3-2 home win against Burnley... and then dropped off in the second half of the season but still finished fourth.

That January brought them Rogers for only £8m but very little else, when extra reinforcements may just have been the difference in claiming a first title since 1981.

So what will they do this time? Can they back Unai Emery with the players he needs to see off their illustrious title rivals? And will Harvey Elliott ever play football again? Here, our Villa expert TOM COLLOMOSSE answers everything you need to know this January.

1. What do Villa need to do in January?

Keep calm! In recent transfer windows, Villa’s approach has been chaotic, with Emery appearing increasingly on edge as they switch from target to target, around and back again.

Last January the impulsive approach worked but the difficulties last summer overshadowed the start of the season.

Yet new transfer chief Roberto Olabe is much more of a level-headed character than predecessor Monchi and should be able to handle Emery’s expectations better.

Villa could desperately do with a centre forward in a bit of form - Ollie Watkins’ double off the bench at Chelsea was hugely impressive, but was an anomaly in his recent run.

Emery would also like a wide attacker who can play on either flank, which is hardly a ringing endorsement of Jadon Sancho or Evann Guessand.

The sense is that Villa may agree to swap deals or loan swaps, as domestic and European spending rules have reduced their room for manoeuvre.

2. Do they have money to spend?

Not really. Villa remain in an extremely tight spot with Premier League and UEFA financial regulations and it is highly unlikely they can bring in players without first balancing the books.

Roma would like to cancel Leon Bailey’s loan deal early and if Villa could do a permanent sale elsewhere, that would release funds.

Keep an eye on academy products like Lamare Bogarde, too. Emery likes and rates the Dutch utility player but selling him would represent pure profit for Villa and give them a better chance of investing.

Otherwise, loans may be the order of the day – as long as they can reach an agreement with Liverpool to end Harvey Elliott’s stint at Villa Park.

I’d expect them to be open to doing the same with Sancho, though the England international is also unwanted by Manchester United.

3. Who are they targeting?

Villa have already agreed a deal for young Brazilian winger Alysson from Gremio, but Emery is unlikely to be satisfied with that as the sole piece of business.

As mentioned, Villa have to be extremely careful this winter. If they are able to move, Emery will want players with top-level experience.

Could they move again for Lucas Paqueta, the West Ham playmaker so admired by Emery? Only if they can be certain of balancing the books at the end of the window.

4. How have their summer signings fared?

Marco Bizot has performed steadily when stepping in for Emi Martinez and though Guessand looks extremely raw, he has made the odd positive contribution. 

Victor Lindelof has seen little Premier League action but did very well in the 3-2 win at West Ham. As for Sancho and Elliott, it is easy to conclude that these deals were the final straw for the Emery-Monchi relationship.

Sancho is clearly not trusted fully by Emery and for Elliott, the equation is even simpler. Emery simply does not rate the on-loan Liverpool midfielder and it is hard not to feel sympathy for him.

5. And who might leave?

We have mentioned Bogarde already. Don’t rule out either Watkins or Donyell Malen departing if Emery thinks he can find a better option elsewhere, and the would-be selling club are willing to do a player trade.

Expect Villa to wave goodbye to Elliott, Sancho is likelier to stay than leave but still this is not certain.

Given Roma do not fancy Bailey at all, Villa may agree to have him back before moving him on again.