Dean Smith outlines qualities wanted by Aston Villa as he looks to re-shape squad
Boss Dean Smith only wants to sign players who buy into his Premier League vision for Villa this summer.
Birmingham City winger Jota is poised to become the surprise first signing of what promises to be a hectic transfer window as Smith rebuilds his squad ready for the club’s top flight return.
Midfielder Gary Gardner will move in the other direction as part of the deal, while Villa confirmed the release of eight senior players over the weekend.
Smith is keen to sign Tyrone Mings in a permanent deal from Bournemouth following the defender’s excellent loan spell. Villa also have options to sign two of their other loan stars, Anwar El Ghazi and Kortney Hause, and will decide whether to trigger them in the next few days.
Promotion brought with it an estimated £170million windfall and Smith will be backed in the market by Villa’s billionaire owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.
But bringing in players with the right attitude and character is also imperative for the boss, who wants to maintain the winning culture established during the latter part of the season.
“We want good people,” said Smith. “Good characters and good personalities.”
"We have seen what that can do.
“We brought in the likes of Kortney Hause, Tyrone Mings and Tom Carroll in January.
“They all embraced what we are about. They are good personalities who fitted in straight away with the team and the club.”
Nottingham Forest winger Joe Lolley is another player on Villa’s radar as Smith looks to boost his wing options.
Villa have already secured the signing of24-year-old French right-back Frederic Guilbert. He agreed to join from Caen in January, before ending the season back on loan at the Ligue 1 club.
