season that creativity was their priority in the window, and they've wasted little time in securing it in Emiliano Buendia. 

"Jack Grealish's 12-game absence between February and May is all the evidence you need that the majority of Aston Villa's creative duties lay on his shoulders. Villa won just 21 per cent of their games without him, and won 54 per cent with their skipper. 

"Buendia topped the charts for chances created (122), assists (16) and final-third passes completed (735) in the Championship last season, but for those doubting his ability to step up a division, his stats in Norwich's Premier League campaign of 2019/20 are also telling. Despite their relegation, Buendia was fourth for chances created (83), behind Kevin De Bruyne, Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold. 

"Whether Grealish plays left of a front three next season or more centrally as a No 10 remains to be seen - Villa still arguably don't know his very best position having played him more or less 50-50 in both areas since promotion to the Premier League. But wherever Grealish starts next season, Villa needed to strengthen in wide areas. 

"Though Bertrand Traore, Anwar El Ghazi and Trezeguet have chipped in with important goals, there is a feeling that Villa needed something more consistent from the wings, and the hope is Buendia will provide that.

"Given how early Villa moved in this window, paired with fending off competition from Arsenal, this is a signing that Villa fans believe shows huge ambition."