Aston Villa's financial situation, whereby their budget has largely been taken up by the high wages that players with Premier League experience command, has meant that they are shopping in the loan market this January. 

That has meant that they have had to wait for other clubs to get their business done before they know for sure what they can do.

One player who emerged as a key target is Leicester City outcast Leonardo Ulloa and Villa knew they would have to wait until near the end of the window - when the Foxes would have a clearer idea about the futures of their other strikers - to secure him.

However, reliable journalist Pete O'Rourke has issued an update on former Brighton man Ulloa's future.

A move back to his old club on the south coast looks to be on the cards for Ulloa, and you can understand why he would want to stay in the Premier League and go back to a club he knows.

The Verdict

If this move to Brighton goes through, it would be a huge blow to Villa's January plans, in my view.

I think they were confident they would land Ulloa, even if they had to wait until the end of the window to get him and him going elsewhere would make a big dent in their hopes of getting a new striker through the door before February 1.

Villa fans - what is your reaction to the news that Ulloa could be off elsewhere? Let us know in the comments below...