Aston Villa endured a miserable campaign last season following their relegation from the Premier League, with manager Steve Bruce’s side limping to a mid-table finish.
The summer proved difficult for Bruce, with the club restricted by Financial Fair Play following a year of big spending the season before, but the former Hull City boss maneuvered efficiently, securing a plethora of top, experienced talent in bargain deals.
The likes of John Terry and Chris Samba were snapped up on free transfers, with Ahmed Elmohamady and Glenn Whelan two of the names to join for nominal fees.
Bruce’s work has bore fruit, with Villa flying-high in fifth position following an excellent run of results.
With a restricted budget in January, Bruce will have to wheel and deal once more if he is to bolster his squad ahead of their promotion push, and could turn to free agency to find the men to fire his side to promotion.
These two free agents could make all the difference at Villa Park in the new year, should they be given the chance to shine…
Mirko Vucinic
Villa are a huge club with a phenomenal history of Premier League pedigree.
Their image will attract big names, and Bruce should consider a swoop for former Juventus striker, Mirko Vucinic.
The Montenegrin boasted a phenomenal goalscoring record in Italy during spells with Juve, Roma and Lecce, before heading to Abu Dhabi with Al-Jazira in 2014, where he scored 27 goals in only 29 matches.
His spell in the Middle-East kept the experienced forward ticking, and now a free agent, Vucinic is on the lookout for his next challenge.
Villa are in desperate need of a striker following injuries to Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan, and Vucinic could provide an excellent short-term option for Bruce.
A natural goalscorer, the fox-in-the-box would provide Villa with a different option, and could play a role in their push for promotion.
Diego Capel
Bruce will want as many attacking options in his squad as possible as he chases promotion, and could turn to a Spaniard to spark life into his front-line during the second half of the season.
29-year-old Diego Capel is a free agent following his release from Belgian giants Anderlecht at the end of last season, and could be open to a Villa Park switch.
Enjoying fantastic spells with Sevilla and Sporting Lisbon, Capel is vastly experienced, even picking up two caps for his country back in 2008 during the height of Spain’s global dominance of international football.
The winger is tricky, pacy and possesses a wicked left foot, and could provide Bruce with an option entirely different to the ones currently at his disposal.
A low risk, free agent, Capel could be worth a punt.
Villa fans, would you take this pair at the club in the new year? Have your say below...