Aston Villa
Manager: Dean Smith
Last season: 5th (Promoted via Play-Offs
key player
Jack Grealish – our captain, our best player and by far the most influential player on the pitch. He’s at the heart of everything that we do.
Though you could argue it is now Wesley Moraes, because our new record signing looks to have become burdened with being our primary goal threat this season.
SIGNINGS SO FAR
Wesley: £22m
Tyrone Mings: £20m
Matt Targett: £17m
Ezri Konsa: £12m
Anwar El Ghazi: £8m
Jota: £4m
Kortney Hause: £3m
Total: £86m
Imminent:
Douglas Luiz: £15m
Bjorn Engels: £7m
I, personally, would say that the best piece of business we’ve conducted is Man City’s Douglas Luiz. Though, at the time of writing, the transfer has not been finalised, to sign Brazil’s U-23 captain, the golden ball winner at the recent Toulon Tournament and a player Pep Guardiola wanted in his squad for last season (but for a failed work permit) is a huge coup for just £15M.
Who TO SIGN
We seem to be in the market for a new goalkeeper, but a new, yet proven and well-established right-winger is essential in my eyes. Though El Ghazi and Wesley are both very capable players, they are both very young and inexperienced at Premier League level. To have another player in that front three that we can rely on would be ideal.
We were linked with Pablo Fornals before West Ham signed him. Somebody of that stature is what I have in mind.
EXPECTED FINISH
For any newly-promoted side, survival is the obvious and immediate target. But I truly believe in this squad, the coaching staff and the board, which combined with the fact we look set to spend almost £125M this window, means I think we could place very respectably this year.
EXCITING GAME
We’re back in the big time, after a three-year absence, so I can’t wait to see us square up against the top six once again. Going away to Spurs on the opening weekend is a perfect way to kick-off our campaign.
TROPHY?
No, not just yet. Though if we can guarantee survival early on, a nice run in the FA Cup wouldn’t go amiss.
@_DJMW on Twitter.
