There have been transfer links and rumours to newly-promoted Aston Villa that have all but died down, but yet again, one of the most important rumours has now come to fruition. 

Trézéguet has joined Aston Villa from Turkish side Kasımpaşa, for a supposed fee around 8.75 million pounds, with significant add-on fees, per John Percy at the Telegraph.

Trézéguet, who’s real name is Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan, would have been a fine capture for any club after his latest season in the Turkish Super Lig.

Trézéguet attempted around 10 dribbles per 90 minutes last season and successfully pulled off half of them. Let’s compare this to Aston Villa’s Anwar El Ghazi, who attempted just under seven and a half dribbles per game, and came up short with just under half of his dribbles being successful.

This is also much higher than Liverpool’s on-loan winger Harry Wilson achieved at Derby County last season. In the entirety of Europe, Trézéguet was the third-best dribbler, behinds OGC Nice’s Saint-Maximin and Lionel Messi – beating the likes of Eden Hazard and Jadon Sancho.

Trézéguet will add to Aston Villa manager Dean Smith’s tactical selection instantly. For one, the Egyptian winger is known to be a cross-machine, attempting an average of four crosses per game.

Aston Villa supporters were treated to a taste of what Dean Smith expects from his wide men last season and there is no doubt that Smith will be wanting more of the same with the inclusion of Trézéguet.

The quality of this kind of signing signals a new dawn for Aston Villa. Gone are the days of ageing wingers who relied too heavily on being at the right place at the right time while carrying a less-than-stellar cross completion success rate. Wingers such as Trézéguet, Jota and Anwar El Ghazi would be instrumental for any newly promoted side, in reality. 

Dean Smith will be delighted to finally nail down the core of his wingers and it does not like he is done quite yet with bringing players through the door. Aston Villa supporters are still awaiting the announcement of Manchester City midfielder Douglas Luiz, with many news outlets reporting that he is already signed and awaiting a work permit. 

Don’t look now, but Aston Villa are making moves to make damn sure they remain in the Premier League this season and for many seasons to come.