It is fair to say that many supporters were surprised when Aston Villa secured the services of Birmingham City playmaker Jota this summer.
The 28-year-old left the Championship side for the thriving Premier League outfit, with midfielder Gary Gardner going the other way.
In what was a seemingly controversial and much-talked-about signing, could Jota turn out to be Villa’s star of the season as they prepare for the Premier League?
The early part of pre-season suggests that Villa have a player on their hands, and if Jota can find the form that won him plaudits at Brentford under Smith then Villa have made one of the best signings of the summer.
There’s no doubt that Jack Grealish is Villa’s main man, but the technically gifted 23-year-old could now be matched for talent by Jota.
Someone like John McGinn did wow one and all last season, but the Scotsman is a different type of player to Grealish.
As things stand, Jota is making that place on the right-hand side his own and the prospect of him and Grealish combining together is now looking like a mouthwatering prospect.
Either way, Villa supporters should be optimistic with what the future holds because a signing that looked very unlikely at the start of the summer now looks like it may well be thriving in England’s top-tier in a few months time.
