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Aston Villa FC
Aston Villa FC are back in the Premier League after two years of Championship football and manager Dean Smith has wasted no time in the transfer market by making 8 new signings with 10 of his squad moving on.
Spanish winger Jota (Birmingham City FC) and Brazilian striker Wesley (Club Brugge KV) plus defenders Matt Targett (Southampton FC), Tyrone Mings (AFC Bournemouth) and Ezri Konsa (Brentford FC) have all moved to Villa Park. Belgian centre-back Björn Engels has also joined them.
Dutch international Anwar El Ghazi, who scored for Villa in their Play-Off final victory against Derby County FC, and Kortney Hause have completed permanent moves from Lille OSC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC respectively having spent last season on loan with the Villains.
With billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris, Wes Edens and Tony Xai keen to ensue Aston Villa FC re-establish themselves as a leading Premier League club other new arrivals are expected, which suggests that getting his new squad to gel quickly will be Smith's first priority.