BirminghamLive brings you the latest Aston Villa headlines on Thursday, January 4

Aston Villa have ‘reached an agreement’ with Hellas Verona for the transfer of winger Cyril Ngonge, according to reports in Italy.

The 23-year-old has been with the Serie A side since joining on a free transfer in January last year. His performances since then have caught the eye with the winger scoring five goals and providing two assists in 17 Serie A appearances so far this season.

Unai Emery is keen to add to his attacking options in the current window and according to TuttoMercatoWeb , Villa have made their move for the player and offered a price of €10 million (£8.7 million), which has been ‘verbally accepted’ by Verona. It is now up to the player to decide whether to make the move or not, and that is where the problem could lie.

How Aston Villa plans to increase Villa Park capacity and NSWE’s £150 million injection explained

After a remarkable first half of the campaign, Aston Villa have the opportunity to strengthen Unai Emery’s squad in the January transfer window.

Villa are targeting qualification for Champions League football this season and Europa League glory after securing their passage to the last 16 by topping Group E last month. Emery wants to make additions to his squad this month as Villa look to build on an impressive first five months of the season.

Here, Villa reporter John Townley hosts his weekly Villa fans’ forum, discussing all of the big talking points with an eye on the January window. The transcript is in full below, and you can have your say on all things Villa and transfers in the comments section

Aston Villa transfers: ‘Agreement’ reached as striker move considered

The January transfer window is now open, with clubs looking to strengthen their squads ahead of the second half of the season.

Unai Emery will be keen to add to his options over the next month as Villa continue their push to play Champions League football next season. Villa currently sit in second place in the Premier League table, three points behind leaders Liverpool.

Even though the window is less than three days old, there have already been names linked with a move to Villa Park. Players have also been linked with an exit as Emery continues to add his mark to the squad.

Aston Villa ‘set’ to sanction transfer with quick reunion on the cards

Aston Villa are set to sanction the sale of Finn Azaz after recalling the midfielder from a loan spell at Plymouth Argyle, according to reports.

The 23-year-old has impressed on loan at Home Park so far this season, scoring seven goals and providing five assists. That has prompted interest from Championship rivals, with Stoke City, managed by former Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher, one of the teams linked.

However, according to the Athletic, Villa have agreed to a £2.5 million fee with Middlesbrough. The player will now undergo a medical and discuss personal terms with the Championship club before officially completing a

Aston Villa announces away ticket changes to avoid ‘closed shop’

Aston Villa have confirmed the criteria for away tickets for the remainder of the season with a change to the club’s loyalty system.

Villa has been in talks with the Away Ticket Consultation Group, with almost all concerned agreeing that the new way was the fairest means of distributing away tickets. Villa’s success means fans are finding it hard to obtain tickets for away fixtures. The club is keen to reward loyalty as well as avoid a ‘closed shop’ for supporters wishing to attend away games, they say.

Unlike previously, Villa has said away ties in the FA Cup and League Cup will now count towards supporters’ loyalty points. The club has also confirmed that there will be steps to ensure those who obtain tickets to smaller grounds with limited away tickets, such as AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town, are not rewarded more than those who wish to go but miss out due to the reduced number.