Unai Emery to use Barcelona trip as Gavi recruitment mission for Aston Villa

Unai Emery plans to use Aston Villa against Barcelona on Tuesday night as a chance to convince midfielder Gavi to head to Villa Park, per reports in Spain.

Villa face Barcelona on Tuesday night, having won all three of their Champions League games so far this season. Barca, meanwhile, are three points below the Villans, after they lost to holders Paris Saint-Germain last time out.

For Villa, playing against sides with such stature is testament to how far they've come under Unai Emery, and the Spaniard has big plans for his side.

Spanish reports suggest that the trip to Barca serves as a chance to look into the situation of Gavi amid a lack of game time for his current club.

Villa, it's said, would be a an alternative that makes sense for him were he to listen to proposals.

Gavi is reported to be an attractive signing for the Villans given what he could bring to their midfield, but the appeal of the club for him would lie in explaining exactly what responsibilities he'd be given.

Indeed, Emery would have to convince the Spaniard that there'd be more opportunities for him at Villa Park than at Camp Nou.

Gavi will want to feel important and if Emery can prove to him that he would be at Villa, then the transfer opportunity could have legs.

Gavi going nowhere - Fabrizio Romano

Indeed, the 22-year-old has played only 146 minutes in LaLiga this season and just 45 minutes in the Champions League.

It feels there's a chance he could be convinced away as he'd not want his promising career to slow down.

With that said, though, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has stated there's little chance of Barcelona letting Gavi go, even if the midfielder himself wants to depart.

He said: "Yes, Gavi is playing less than usual, but there are no indications that he is leaving. Barça still considers him an important player."

Romano also detailed the situation of Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, who's linked with Premier League clubs.

He said: "Balde's situation is becoming increasingly complicated. Everything regarding his future in January will depend on the player himself."