Aston Villa get the jump on Premier League rivals as Gerrard’s rebuild takes shape

Aston Villa look to have sealed their third summer signing prior to the transfer window opening as Steven Gerrard wastes no time in starting his rebuild.

With this season the first without limited capacity stadiums as football along with the world began to adjust to a life beyond the pandemic, the upcoming summer transfer window was predicted to be pandemonium from the off.

Although the window isn’t due to open until the start of June, you’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise considering the plethora of deals that have already come to fruition.

Renowned financial powerhouses such as the two Manchester clubs and now Newcastle United were expected to spend big on summer rebuilds but the intent shown by Aston Villa has eclipsed their Premier League rivals at this early stage.

After announcing they’d signed Philippe Coutinho on a permanent basis at their end of season awards following a successful six-month loan move, the West-Midlands side have announced two more acquisitions.

Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa Rebuild Takes Shape

The first, Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara, who will join the club on a free transfer upon his contract expiry at the end of June.

Kamara, formerly a target of Manchester United’s, has drawn praise from French football experts and has played a senior role despite his young age (22), turning out 34 times in Ligue 1 in 2021/22.

The Frenchman will provide competition for places in midfield, with the closest comparison in manager Steven Gerrard’s squad being Douglas Luiz.

"“I am delighted that we have been able to attract one of the most promising young talents in European football,” said Gerrard.“We have a very clear plan to make our team stronger and Bouba is an important part of that.”Via: BBC Sport"

With Villa fans still digesting the news of their first two signings, reports of another surfaced on Thursday. This time, Sevilla central defender Diego Carlos.

The Brazil native is set to fly to England for a medical and to finalise personal terms on a deal worth £26m, as reported by the Guardian.

Another player that has piqued the interest of several clubs across the continent and in the Premier League, Carlos was subject to a stand-off between Sevilla and Newcastle United in January.

Gerrard’s current centre-back pairing of skipper Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa has come under scrutiny of late, with the latter losing his England spot as a result.

The speed in which higher-ups at Aston Villa are going about their business perhaps highlights the disappointment felt at their end to the recently concluded season.

After a brief upturn following Gerrard’s appointment in November, his side went on an indifferent run of form which saw them finish the campaign with just two wins from their final eleven games.

Their transfer plans aren’t exclusive to the spine of the team, however, as reports suggest a sensational reunion between the Villa boss and former teammate Luis Suarez is a real possibility.

With the goalposts moving following an increased investment for Steven Gerrard in comparison to his time at Rangers and Aston Villa until this point, time will tell if the fast-moving approach in this summer’s window will pay dividends.