Aston Villa have enjoyed a mini-revival under the guidance of Steve Bruce, as they stand unbeaten in his four games in charge, but the former Hull City boss still has a lot of work to do if Villa are to secure an immediate return to the top-flight.
Sat six points off the play-offs heading into this weekend, Villa's second-half of the season will be incredibly important, and that adds pressure upon Steve Bruce's shoulders heading into the January transfer window.
January additions could be the difference between returning to the Premier League or staying in the Championship for a second year, and Bruce should look to Germany for potential targets, as the world champions boast an abundance of talent.
Though it may be difficult to secure top-class players, the two targets we've identified are achievable signatures to secure and they'd certainly help Bruce's side.
Hit 'Begin Gallery' to see TWO Germans he should look to sign!
Davie Selke
21-year-old Davie Selke was made the most expensive player in the history of the Bundesliga 2. last year when he moved from Werder Bremen to RB Leipzig, but his side's rise into the top-flight has led to limited opportunities.
Appearing in half of Leipzig's league games this season, Selke has only started once and needs more regular first-team action if he is to develop into the superstar he can become.
Whilst it would be a difficult signing to secure, Aston Villa could offer him the football he wants.
A loan move would be more likely to be secured but Villa, benefitting from the Premier League's parachute payments, have the financial might to pull off a permanent deal.
Jan Kirchhoff
The 26-year-old Sunderland man has featured four times for David Moyes' side in the Premier League this season but, with just two points from an available twenty, the Black Cats look odds-on to be relegated come May.
Kirchhoff looks destined to end up in the second-tier of English football sooner or later but a move in January to Aston Villa could be beneficial for him, as he'd likely get more regular action and would be with a side that boasts more positive performances.
This may be the only way for the player to have a future in the Premier League and Sunderland would likely sell for the right price, despite only signing the player in January.