After winning promotion to the Premier League, Aston Villa fans will be hugely excited going into the summer as they prepare for life in the top-flight.

Their hopes of finishing in a play-off spot looked to be dead and buried around March time, before a run of 10 straight league wins reignited their promotion dreams, and propelled them into the top-six.

And now, after defeating Derby County at Wembley in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final, Dean Smith's side will be gearing up for life in the grandest stage of English football.

It seems as if Villa fans will not have to wait long until their first signing of the summer is announced either, with reports from Birmingham Live claiming that Villa have completed a deal to sign Jota from arch rivals Birmingham City.

The Spaniard has played under Dean Smith at Brentford where he established himself as one of the most creative players in the Championship and whilst he didn't replicate that at Blues, Smith will hope he can help the winger get back to his best.

[ad_pod ]

Jota's arrival would see Gary Gardner go to St. Andrew's on a permanent basis, and Villa fans aren't likely to lose sleep over this departure at all. His head clearly isn't at Villa, and it's firmly focused on life under Garry Monk ahead of next season.

Meanwhile, they would be getting a player in who could make a difference next season and is a pretty low-risk move given the fee.

Able to play out wide or behind the striker, Jota would be a very versatile option for Villa, and would definitely add a lot of creativity to the side when the likes of Grealish or McGinn aren't at their best.

He is a player that Smith will know like the back of his hands, and will no doubt fit his playing style to a tee as they embark on life in the Premier League.

Given that, even though more money will no doubt be spent on new faces in the coming months, this could turn out to be a real bargain deal for Villa.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.