Of the three clubs promoted to the Premier League from the Championship last season, Aston Villa are arguably the biggest. Fellow promoted sides Norwich and Sheffield United have their own histories, but neither has the distinction of winning the European Cup.
Some still believe that the Villans are one of the biggest clubs in English football. One thing that is certain is that they are a club that should be playing Premier League football.
Busy strengthening their squad
Villa have already been busy strengthening their squad. The team from the Midlands have signed Anwar El-Ghazi on a permanent deal from Lille after a successful loan spell at the club last season. The Netherlands international joined Villa for a reported fee of £4.5million and has signed a four-year deal with the club.
According to Sky Sports, Villa have also agreed a fee of around £22million with Club Brugge for highly-rated Brazilian forward Wesley Moraes. The 22-year-old will make the move to the Premier League side subject to international clearance.
The youngster has been with the Belgian club for the last four years. Last season he scored 17 times and has helped his club side to two Jupiler League. Wesley will be considered a replacement for Tammy Abraham, who was prolific last season during a loan spell from Chelsea. With the Blues current transfer ban, the young striker could be playing first-team football for the south London club next season.
Media reports now claim that Villa are interested in signing Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland this summer. A fee of around £20million has been mooted for the 26-year-old England international. Once again he would likely come into the team as a replacement for a loan star in the shape of Manchester United loanee Sam Johnstone, who returned to Manchester after the end of the season.
The squad needed strengthening
Aston Villa won promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs. The step up from the second tier to the top-flight is a big one. Some of the players in the Villans squad were obviously not going to take the journey with them to the top-flight.
Replacing the influence loan players was always going to be crucial for Villa’s success next season. It looks like the team from the Midlands have made a solid start in the transfer market and will no doubt will continue to strengthen their squad for the rest of the summer.
Should stay clear of the relegation dogfight
By the start of the Premier League campaign, Villa should have a strong enough squad to avoid the relegation battle on their return to the English top-flight. In fact, just like their Midlands rivals Wolves last season, the Villans are not one of the favourites to suffer relegation next season.
In boss Dean Smith, they have a highly-rated and talented young British coach. Villa also has a number of quality players within their squad. It is good to see a club the size of Aston Villa back in the Premier League after a short absence. It looks likely that their next stay will be a long one.
Can Aston Villa avoid the relegation battle next season?
