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As we understand, Birmingham City winger Jota is the clubs first signing of the summer.
Words by Regan Foy | @FindFoy
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According to local media outlet Birmingham Live, the deal to bring Birmingham City winger Jota to Villa Park is now complete, with Aston Villa sending Gary Gardner the opposite way, alongside a sum of around £4,000,000.
Gardner impressed at the St. Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium last season, linking up with his older brother and seemingly falling in love with the club that he’d never previously acknowledged due to his Villa affiliations.
Jota, at 27-years-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder or a winger, is a younger option than the outgoing Albert Adomah, who will not be having his contract renewed. Whilst this doesn’t necessarily fit the mould of being young and having ‘resale value’, Jota has previously worked with both Dean Smith, at Brentford, and Jesus Garcia Pitarch, at Eibar in the past.
The Spaniard played the best football of his career under Dean Smith before his switch from Brentford to Birmingham City, and was a major part of the clubs rise up until the 16/17 season. In his final season under Smith at Brentford, the tricky midfielder managed to hit double figures goals-wise and a handful of assists in just over twenty games.
He has not been able to replicate the form at the Blues, with the turgid football at St. Andrews not fitting the flair style that Jota is known for.
Whilst nobody knows whether Jota will be considered a squad player or more of a starter, he’s certainly a talent that flourished under the football employed by Aston Villa manager Dean Smith, and is said to have jumped at the chance to be re-united.
The departure of Gary Gardner also means that we don’t have to deal with another loan move away from Villa Park for the former youth prospect. Win win for everybody.
