Villa snap up Tielemans on 'fantastic' free transfer

 The transfer window may not have officially opened, but that has not stopped Aston Villa from lining up their first new signing before the 2023/24 Premier League campaign

Aston Villa fans have hailed the club’s “excellent business” after snapping up Youri Tielemans on a free transfer.

The Midlanders are currently on cloud nine having secured a place in next season’s Europa Conference League. Unai Emery has Villa fans believing again after turning the side’s fortunes around, less than nine months after taking over from the sacked Steven Gerrard.

And the former Arsenal manager has further cemented himself in the good books of Villa fans after securing the services of the former Leicester City midfielder. While he could not keep the Foxes in the Premier League, Tielemans has an outstanding reputation in the division, having previously been linked with big money moves to the Gunners, Chelsea, and others.

Tielemans will be Villa’s first signing of the new season. And if the reactions of passionate Villans is anything to go by, the club have started the transfer window with a bang.

“Fantastic piece of business,” one jubilant Villa supporter wrote. “What an amazing signing” another followed, swiftly. Good signing for Villa. Wasn’t long ago he was strongly linked to CL sides,” one neutral fan tweeted, highlighting the prudency of their business.

“Wow, that’s a very exciting signing for Villa,” a second neutral wrote. In and amongst the reactions, one diehard Villa supporter stuck two fingers up at all fans of the so-called ‘big six” and wrote, “wow Villa just robbed the top six.” Tielemans brings significant experience, despite the fact he is only 26-years-old.

He has already amassed 58 international caps for Belgium and has played in two World Cups and the European Championships. After joining Leicester City from Monaco in 2019, he contributed 28 goals and 26 assists in 195 appearances in all competitions.

However, his most vital contribution came in the 2021 FA Cup Final when he blasted home a thunderbolt from 35-yards against Chelsea to hand Leicester their first ever triumph in the old competition.

He will compete with the likes of John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey, Douglas Luiz, and Boubacar Kamara for one of the three midfield spots in Villa’s midfield. They may also be joined by Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is purportedly set to join on a free transfer as well.

The Champions League and Premier League winner has fallen out of favour in Jurgen Klopp's side over the last couple of seasons. Nevertheless, he will certainly provide strong competition for places.