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Following three successive seasons of Championship football and a narrow defeat in the 2018 play-off final, Aston Villa have returned to the top-flight.

Villa have been determined with their summer recruitment having already secured four acquisitions, including a club-record deal for the striker Wesley from Club Brugge and the permanent arrival of playoff hero Anwar El Ghazi. A purposeful start to the summer indeed.

And while the club have been decisive in their transfer conduct, perhaps the most important signing of all has yet to be completed. The Guardian reports that Aston Villa are interested in signing Chelsea’s Ethan Ampadu on a season-long loan. The 18-year-old was restricted to a mere five first-team appearances in all competitions last season, yet during his limited outings for the Europa League winners and in his eight international caps for Wales, Ampadu has proven to be a fearless player.

With a combative nature and authoritative demeanour, Ampadu is one of the most promising talents in the Premier League - after all, how many other 18-year-olds have featured regularly for their country and stuck themselves on the periphery of a top four squad? Whenever he plays, the Wales international is in constant dialogue with teammates on the pitch, instructing more senior players where to position themselves. For such an inexperienced player, Ampadu plays with a staggering degree of maturity.

Proficient at either centre-half or at the base of midfield - where he thrives for Wales - the teenager displays an excellent understanding of the game, but he’s also so comfortable in possession. He can deliver intelligent and measured passes and his passing accuracy in Europe last season was a whopping 91.6%.

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Not many 18-year-olds shoulder such importance on the international stage as Ampadu. The Chelsea youngster has amassed eight international caps and has held his own against the likes of France, Denmark, Spain and Croatia. Wales are a more accomplished side in Ampadu’s presence, a testament to his versatile and refined skill set.

One senses that the youngster requires continuity to further his progression, and a loan move to a team of Villa’s stature and top-flight experience would be hugely beneficial. Dean Smith experimented with a variety of formations in the Championship last campaign, with Villa often alternating between the 4-1-4-1 and 4-4-1-1 formation. Therefore, a player of Ampadu’s versatility and tactical flexibility should be of great use to Villa.

Furthermore, given the departures of Glenn Whelan and Mile Jedinak, Villa’s need for a commanding midfield presence, one that can balance the creativity that John McGinn and Jack Grealish provide, is abundantly clear. The Welshman would be the perfect anchor in Villa’s creative and skilful midfield.

While it remains to be seen whether seemingly soon-to-be Chelsea manager Frank Lampard will look to utilise Ampadu in his squad next season, Villa provide an exciting alternative to the Welshman. The know-how and immense success that John Terry has enjoyed coupled with the presence of other Welsh internationals James Chester and Neil Taylor should make the Villans an attractive proposition for Ampadu.

As Smith embarks on the task of restoring Villa’s former glory, the acquisition of a gifted and courageous young player would be a significant step in the right direction, continuing what has already been a very promising start to the summer transfer window.