Martin O'Neill may have to sign a new striker in January with John Carew now sidelined for a further two months.
Carew's prolonged absence with a back injury means that O'Neill's pursuit of another forward has become more pressing and, as a result, may encourage selling clubs to raise their asking price in the belief that Villa are backed into a corner and could be persuaded to pay over the odds.
O'Neill would have been in the market for a forward irrespective of Carew's back problem, but losing the powerful Norwegian for an extended spell – he has not played since 22 November – means that time is of the essence and his search has intensified.
The Villa manager has already drawn up his targets, with Emile Heskey, who has only six months remaining on his contract at Wigan and previously played under O'Neill at Leicester, the favoured choice to fill Carew's boots.
Peter Crouch has also been on Villa's radar, although it is thought that the England international's salary demands could be prohibitive. Both Crouch and Heskey provide the aerial presence that O'Neill has traditionally valued in centre-forwards and would also enable the Northern Irishman to have a Plan B – something that he is without at the moment, with Agbonlahor routinely deployed as a lone striker in the absence of alternative options.
Jermain Defoe's potential availability has also occupied O'Neill's thoughts but the Villa manager has denied reports that the Midlands club have tabled an offer for the England international. Even if Villa did submit a bid, there will be serious competition from Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Heskey's situation is also complicated but Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman, has indicated he would consider selling this month to ensure the club get a return on the England forward.
Either way, O'Neill will be upset that Carew's condition has been made public on the eve of the transfer window. The Villa manager had done his best to avoid the subject of Carew's injury recently and yesterday claimed that comments from the player's agent, Per Flod, were wide of the mark. "It is hard to say when John will be back," said Flod. "Maybe in February, maybe in March or later. This is an injury that will take time. It is important that John is completely healed."