Ashley Preece has dropped a key transfer update on Aston Villa and their plans for the rest of the summer transfer window.

What's the story?

Dean Smith's side have already enjoyed a superb start to the summer with the signings of Emi Buendia and Ashley Young, and it appears they are intent on adding some more players to the first-team squad.

Responding to a question about Villa looking to make four to five top-quality additions this summer, The Birmingham Mail's Preece said: "Just another couple to come in, as I understand it, if that. Villa want all their business done before pre-season on July 5 in an ideal world but transfer market changes all of the time."

Fans will love it

While a disappointing end to last season saw them miss out on a top ten finish in the Premier League and thus drop out of European contention, there's no questioning that Villa took a giant stride forwards.

The Midlands club brought in some smart additions last summer, and look to have done the same this time around too, with the signings of both Buendia and Young - both with Premier League experience and much more likely to hit the ground running at Villa Park.

So, news that Smith is looking to bring in "another couple", and that the club are intent on doing all their transfer business before the start of pre-season in a couple of weeks, is exciting.

Given the strength of the spine of the team - the likes of Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, John McGinn, Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins - Villa only really need a couple of finishing touches, like a Buendia for example, to take that next step.

And, by getting them in before pre-season, allows them the best possible chance of acclimatising to what Smith wants from them ahead of the new Premier League season.

It's exactly why Villa fans will love Preece's latest update on the club's transfer plans.

Meanwhile, Villa are interested in this teammate of Buendia's...