Aston Villa could have struck a hammer blow to rivals West Brom by landing Grady Diangana in the summer transfer window.

What was the story?

Despite the fact that West Brom had the youngster on loan at the Hawthorns last season during their promotion-winning campaign in the Championship, reports over the summer claimed that Villa were much interested in making a late swoop.

It was suggested that even when Diangana was holding a medical ahead of a proposed £18m move from West Ham, that Dean Smith's side remained interested in completing a deal for the attacker.

In the end, Diangana did complete his switch to the Baggies, and Villa may feel like it was a missed opportunity.

Bilic in the mud

What better way to make a real statement in the transfer market, than simultaneously sign one of English football's hottest prospects, as well as getting one over on your bitter rivals.

That could have been the case for Villa had they acted on their late interest in Diangana, and it would have sent a hammer blow to Baggies boss Slaven Bilic ahead of their first season back in the Premier League.

Not only would it have been a shot in the arm for Villa fans, but they also would have left West Brom considerably weaker given that they would have missed one of their stars of the Championship campaign.

Hilariously obscure Premier League players - Can you name them all?

 

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

Last season, Diangana managed an impressive eight goals and seven assists in 31 games across all competitions, and that level of talent would have gone down a treat with Smith.

Instead, they chose to pass the chance over, and whilst Villa are unlikely to lose any sleep over it, they could have got a fine young player too.