Aston Villa’s summer spending spree has extended to a eighth signing – the arrival of a fourth centre-back – as Bjorn Engels joins from Stade Reims for an undisclosed fee. The news of the transfer has left some supporters at Villa Park absolutely delighted.
Manager Dean Smith has spent nearly £100m transforming his squad from Championship playoff winners into a side that can compete in the Premier League next season. Engels joins Tyrone Mings (£20m), Ezri Konsa (£12m) and Kortney Hause (£3m) in the central defensive department this summer – on top of long-serving Wales international James Chester who still remains at the club.
Engels spent time on loan at Stade Reims from Olympiacos last term before making the move permanent in March. He made 35 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 outfit, registering 13 clean sheets. The 24-year-old began his career in his homeland Belgium with Club Brugge where he also played with Villa’s new £22m club-record signing Wesley Moraes.
The general consensus with most supporters however is that of joy – one fan claims Villa will bag a lot of set-piece goals this season with the added height and power at their disposal whilst another labels the move a brilliant signing.
The transfer, on top of the Mings return, has even drawn comparisons to Villa’s legendary Premier League central defensive partnership of Olof Mellberg and Martin Laursen. One supporter even started to recite his own version of Robbie Williams’ ‘Angels’… “I’m loving Engels instead”…
Here’s just some of the best reaction from the Villa fans:
We've got some serious height & power in this squad, couple that with the dead ball threat of Grealish & Hourihane, I can see us netting a few again from set pieces. Welcome to the Villa @BjornEngels ????
— David Barran (@BarranDj) July 16, 2019
We loving Engels instead
And through it all he offers us protection
A lot of block and interceptions..— Reiss Mason (@ReissMason1) July 16, 2019
Not seen much. Looks a physical presence. Will probably start with Mings. Arsenal were after him last yesr apparently
— JackCudworth (@JackCudworth) July 16, 2019
????good bit of business that
— Darren Purnell (@TheDrDazzlar) July 16, 2019
Congratulations Björn, another brilliant signing for Aston Villa UTV ????????????
— Peter Wall (@1966wall) July 16, 2019
“I’m loving Engels instead” ???????????? #avfc
— Gary Swain (@gazswain) July 16, 2019
I am the only one that thinks the potential Mings / Engels partnership could be very like Mellberg/Laursen partnership? #avfc
— Gabe Gray (@villagabe) July 17, 2019
Watching Engels and Mings at the back together is going to be beautiful. Mingles. #avfc
— Simon Lines (@simonlines) July 17, 2019