Aston Villa have had a supreme upturn in form in the last couple of weeks.

They have gatecrashed the top-six and are sitting inside the play-off places on goal difference at present.

The job Dean Smith has done has been remarkable considering where they were when he took over back in October.

However, Villa’s boss has admitted to the Birmingham Mail he has half an eye on summer signings, with the club having all to play for in their final eight games of the current campaign.

[ad_pod ]

 

There will be plenty of movement in and out of the club, as well as the wider EFL come the summer, and Smith will be starting to look at potential signings for next year.

With all the money that could be spent, there are plenty of bargains to be had when players are released from their contracts upon the conclusion of the season.

So, with that said, these are the soon-to-be free agents that need to be on Aston Villa's summer shopping list...

Leroy Fer

A move for the Swansea man fell through at the eleventh hour in January, with Tom Carroll moving to Villa Park instead.

Smith could well look to reignite his interest once the transfer window re-opens in the summer.

A powerful engine in the centre of the pitch, he would be the perfect addition to a Villa side who need that steel in the middle with all the attacking talent they have.

The 29-year-old will compliment what Smith has at his disposal, and enhance the overall team.

Jonas Knudsen

Another player who Villa were reported to have interest in during the summer, but nothing came of it.

With Ipswich on the verge of heading to League One, and the left-back out of contract in the summer, a free-transfer for the highly-rated 25-year-old could well be back on the cards.

Smith will need defensive reinforcements with his loaned rearguard options set to return to their parent clubs come the end of the season.

Knudsen is competent at the back and would be a dependable addition at Villa Park should a move occur.

Todd Cantwell

The 21-year-old has been impressive for Norwich this season but has only started 16 times.

With Villa looking like they are on the up, the attacker could well be an ideal addition to Smith’s side if Jack Grealish is sold in the summer.

Cantwell operates in the same role and has improved this term under Daniel Farke.