Dean Smith says further Aston Villa signings will depend on moving players out

Villa have spent more than £75million on five players including the loan capture of England international Ross Barkley from Chelsea.

Smith has not entirely ruled out more additions prior to Monday’s deadline and Bournemouth forward Josh King remains a player of interest. But any move for the 28-year-old or other targets will only happen if there are outgoings, with Villa wary of their squad becoming bloated.

Smith said: “We don’t want to stockpile players. There will be players that are open to leaving the club and if they do we may move to bring others in.

“But not unless anyone goes out, that is for sure. Moving players out is the hardest thing at any club, as any sporting director will tell you.”

Henri Lansbury, Frederic Guilbert, Jota and goalkeeping duo Lovre Kalinic and Orjan Nyland are among the players who will be allowed to leave.

Smith believes he has sufficient cover both in attack and defence without further recruitment.

Kortney Hause is a doubt for tomorrow’s visit of champions Liverpool after going off injured in Thursday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Stoke, though long-term absentee Bjorn Engels back available after the international break.

“Bjorn is back training with us. We thought last Thursday’s game was a little bit too early for him,” said Smith. “I am really happy with the business we have done. There were certain targets we wanted and have got in positions we needed filling.”

He continued: “I’m quite comfortable sitting here with our centre-halves. I think Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings are a future England pairing, I believe.

“Tyrone’s started the season really well, Ezri’s been exceptional and finished last season as one of our best players.

“In Kortney Hause, he had a bit of off day last night but he was excellent when we played Arsenal in pre-season and at Bristol City last week. We know what he can do.

“Bjorn has just been unfortunate with injuries, but he will certainly be available for the first game back after the international break.”