Former Aston Villa star could get dream shirt number upon return to the club

Tammy Abraham link rekindles Villa nostalgia as January questions emerge

There are few January rumours that carry both emotional weight and strategic intrigue, and the suggestion of Tammy Abraham returning to Aston Villa fits that category neatly. As reported by the Birmingham Mail, Villa have been linked with a move for their former striker, currently on loan at Besiktas from Roma, and the idea carries both romance and risk.

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Villa’s position in the table adds context. Sitting third in the Premier League under Unai Emery, with an eight point cushion over Liverpool, this is no longer a club shopping out of desperation. January additions must elevate rather than merely reinforce.

Memories of promotion and unfinished business

Abraham’s name still resonates at Villa Park for good reason. His loan spell in 2018-19 from Chelsea was decisive, goals flowing freely as Villa surged to promotion from the Championship. That season forged an affinity that has never fully faded, and it is easy to see why supporters would welcome a reunion.

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Now 27, Abraham’s career has taken him through Rome and Istanbul, with his current Besiktas loan carrying an option to buy. The Birmingham Mail report suggests Villa may yet harbour hope of bringing him back to B6, depending on how that clause develops and whether Roma remain open to alternative solutions.

Shirt numbers and subtle signals

Beyond tactics and fees, symbolism has crept into the discussion. Abraham has worn the No.9 shirt for much of his senior career, a number currently unavailable at Villa. That shirt is occupied by Harvey Elliott, whose future appears uncertain.

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Elliott has featured just five times this season. A tenth appearance would trigger a £35 million obligation to buy from Liverpool, something Villa may be keen to avoid. If Elliott were to depart this month or in the summer, the path would be clear for Abraham to reclaim a familiar number. Villa also have shirts 13, 15, 18 and 21 available, but the No.9 carries meaning.

Strategic fit under Emery scrutiny

Emery’s Villa have been built on structure, pressing discipline and ruthless efficiency. Abraham’s profile raises legitimate questions about fit. He offers presence and penalty box instinct, but Villa already possess attacking options suited to Emery’s system. Any move would need to be measured, not nostalgic.

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There is ambition too. With talk of sustaining Champions League qualification and even edging closer to Arsenal and Manchester City, Villa cannot afford sentimentality to drive recruitment.

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Abraham is remembered fondly at Villa, not just for goals but for the momentum he gave the club at a crucial time. Fans will admit there is a temptation to welcome him back with open arms, especially given the confidence around the current squad and manager.

Yet there is also caution. Supporters recognise that this Villa side is very different to the one Abraham left. Emery has raised standards and expectations, and January business must align with that evolution. A return only works if Abraham enhances competition and adapts to the system, not if he arrives as a sentimental solution.

The shirt number discussion feels symbolic rather than decisive. Fans care more about output than numerology. If Villa move, supporters will trust Emery’s judgement, but they will also expect clarity. This is a club planning for Europe, not reminiscing about the Championship.