It certainly hasn't been a case of second season syndrome for Aston Villa, who're enjoying an excellent season under the guidance Dean Smith.

Villa spent big last summer, although having almost got relegated, Smith used his money far wiser this time around, bringing the likes of Emiliano Martinez, Ollie Watkins and Ross Barkley on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

And it's paid off - with the Villa just six points off the Champions League places, despite having played two games fewer than the majority of sides around them.

Talking of incomings, here, we've looked at five of Villa's best free transfers from seasons gone by..

Certainly the most high-profile name in the list, having finally left Chelsea after almost 20-years at Stamford Bridge, the former England captain joined Villa on a free in the summer of 2o17.

The defender made 36 appearances in claret and blue - with the last of those coming in the Championship play-off final defeat to Fulham, where he hung up his boots and moved into the coaching side of the game.

The German made the switch from Bayern Munich as a teenager, and can definitely be regarded as one of the best free transfers in their history.

Remembered for his hammer of a left-foot, Hitzlsperger scored some memorable goals during his four seasons at Villa Park, and was a regular under Graham Taylor and David O'Leary.

Despite spending just one season in the Midlands, it would be impossible to leave the Dane out of this list.

Having left Manchester United, Schmeichel spent two seasons in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon before returning to England with Aston Villa in 2001.

Brought in as David James' replacement, the former United goalkeeper quickly established himself as Villa's first-choice, and even managed to score in a defeat at Everton back in October 2001.

Following two relatively unsuccessful seasons with Liverpool, Staunton re-signed for Aston Villa in December 2000 on a free, and would make 75 further appearances in his second spell, leading Villa to Intertoto Cup glory the following summer and a place in the old UEFA Cup.

Johnson was most fondly remembered for his days at Old Trafford, but spent two campaigns with Aston Villa towards the end of his career.

The Norwegian defender appeared regularly in both seasons, helping Villa claim top-half finishes in both.