Aston Villa are reportedly in talks with Birmingham City's Jota.

And it is a deal which could see Gary Gardner move the other way, according to Nick Mashtier. Gardner spent the season on loan at The Blues, and it is suggested that medicals could be completed soon, meaning that the deal is imminent.

Jota first arrived to the Championship in 2014 when he joined Brentford. His impressive form for the Bees led Birmingham to sign him for £6 million in 2017, and since then has provided eight goals and 13 assists for The Blues.

A further report from the Birmingham Mail suggests the deal is £4m plus the service of Gardner.

If the deal goes through it would mean that Dean Smith is reunited with a former player, and provide Villa with a new right-winger following the release of Albert Adomah.

In the 2016/17 season under the guidance of Smith, Jota scored 12 goals in 24 appearances, and the Villa will hope he can rekindle that kind of form in the Premier League.

The Verdict

Jota has been a very exciting player in the Championship ever since he signed for Brentford. He helped them reach the play-offs in his first season and has often scored goals, particularly under Smith. He is quite a unique player, and would offer Villa flair and that moment of quality which wins games in the Premier League.

He also has top-flight experience, having made 18 appearances for Eibar in La Liga. He is not the quickest of players which will work against him in the Premier League, but his class should shine through under Dean Smith. Perhaps best of all for Villa fans, it would weaken their fierce rivals, and it would be a good deal if the finances are right.