Aston Villa ‘Dodged a Bullet’ Not Signing Conor Gallagher in January

Aston Villa have been told they ‘dodged a bullet’ by not signing Tottenham star Conor Gallagher in the January transfer window by club legend Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The England international completed a £35m move to London in the winter window from Atletico Madrid, having opted against a move to become part of Unai Emery’s squad instead, as he opted to sign a long-term contract worth around £200,000-a-week.

But since making the move to Spurs, the team are yet to win a game in 2026 and were recently thrashed 4-1 by Arsenal, and Gallagher has come in for criticism for his own performances, with Agbonlahor now delighted that his side didn’t get the deal over the line.

Aston Villa ‘Dodged a Bullet’ With Gallagher

Villa were understood to be keen on a deal for the former Chelsea man after influential star Boubacar Kamara was ruled out for the remainder of the season, while Youri Tielemans and John McGinn were also ruled out for a significant period of time.

But after a deal for Gallagher didn’t go through, Villa instead moved to re-sign Brazil international Douglas Luiz, who has shone alongside Amadou Onana in the heart of the club’s midfield, registering an assist in the FA Cup defeat to Newcastle recently too.

Now Agbonlahor, who scored 87 goals in 391 appearances for the Villans, including 74 in the Premier League, an amount only topped by Ollie Watkins, believes the club dodged a bullet by avoiding the Englishman.

“What I will say is we dodged a bullet with Conor Gallagher,” he wrote on his X account.

“He looks like a poor man’s Brett Emerton. Shadow of his former self!.”

Aston Villa Happy They Lost Battle

While it may have felt like a blow at the time, Villa will now be buzzing that they missed out Gallagher because of everything that has happened since.

The player has struggled, Douglas Luiz returned instead, the team are still performing relatively well, although results have taken a downturn, but it also means they haven’t committed to a long-term deal with a big fee.

Villa signed Luiz on loan with an option to buy, but if he doesn’t perform well then they can send him back to Juventus and look elsewhere in the market for more midfield reinforcements. GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT who a good option could be to strengthen the midfield, and this was its response:

• Pavel Šulc — Recently linked with Villa; creative, high-energy attacking midfielder who adds goals and pressing intensity.
• Alex Scott — Progressive ball-carrier with Premier League potential; rumoured target who fits Emery’s technical midfield profile.

Best pick: Šulc — more end product and ready-made attacking output.

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