Aston Villa are preparing for a third consecutive season in the Sky Bet Championship, after failure to win promotion back to the Premier League last year.
Steve Bruce’s side came agonisingly short in their quest to win promotion, with Villa losing the play-off final to Fulham, which has left them in a difficult financial situation.
Player sales are expected this summer, with Bruce facing a difficult summer of recruitment, as he looks to reshape a squad that looks set to be picked apart in the coming months.
With the likes of John Terry already departed, and loan stars including Robert Snodgrass and Lewis Grabban, unlikely to return, the personnel within Bruce’s squad is going to look a lot different to a couple of months ago.
Here at FLW, we take a look at some of the players Bruce could look to bring on board this summer, identifying FOUR names that could be targeted this summer…
Hefele won promotion with Huddersfield Town in 2017, with the centre-back impressing in the Championship.
However, his opportunities in the Premier League haven’t come and Villa could look to lure the defender back to the Championship.
The promotion-winning centre-back would be a good addition to a changing defensive unit.
Tuanzebe is perhaps one of last season’s loanees that Villa could re-sign.
The Manchester United youngster brings incredible versatility and would be a shrewd addition at Villa Park.
This is the type of deal Bruce is going to have to focus on.
Villa have an interest in Pantilimon, but so do Nottingham Forest, who seem to be in the driving seat.
However, if Forest stall, Villa need to swoop when they are ready.
Bruce needs to recruit a goalkeeper and Pantilimon could be perfect.
With Villa losing Snodgrass’ creativity, that will have to be replaced.
Maddison was excellent in League One last season, proving to be a real creative cog for Peterborough.
If Villa can raise the funds to lure Maddison away from Peterborough, he’d be another shrewd addition.