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Fifth-placed Aston Villa got the better of Derby County in the Championship play-off final last month and thus secured their long-awaited promotion to the Premier League, having fallen at the final hurdle last year.

Dean Smith and co have already set about preparing their triumphant Villans side for next season, with the objective presumably to establish themselves in the top flight for the foreseeable future - Kortney Hause, Jota, Anwar El Ghazi and Wesley have all signed on for 2019/20. There is one area, though, that Smith has failed to address yet and could cost both he and his side if the right player isn't brought in.

Where are Villa short?

With John McGinn enjoying a stellar term as a number 8, racking up seven goals and nine assists, and Jack Grealish providing the mercurial creativity that can set Villa apart from their divisional rivals next season - he ranked joint-third in the Championship for key passes per match - there's one more midfield role that needs filling if the Midlands outfit want to avoid being steamrollered.

They might have battled for their emergence from the Championship but the Villans' defensive stats from 2018/19 are worrying - they ranked lowest in the second tier for tackles (13.5 per game) and interceptions (7.4 per game) last term, according to WhoScored.

While much of that can be attributed to a leaky defence that conceded 61 times in the Championship, there was also limited protection in front - Glenn Whelan, their most regular holding midfielder, reads the game well but in terms of dogged ball-winning managed just 1.3 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per match.

It's vital that Smith adds some bite to his midfield to complement the abilities of McGinn and Grealish. Considering the quality they showed last season, the former Brentford boss will have the perfect engine room if he can bring in an out-and-out ball-winner.

Player Profile: What do Villa need?

A lack of defensive ability in the middle of the park could prove to be a real problem for the Villans next campaign regardless of their attacking quality; a central player who can break up play consistently, then, should be a priority if Smith wants to strike the right balance.

The onus on the aforementioned Grealish and McGinn to provide defensive support will thereby be reduced and it may be that we see the best of both in the top flight should Smith grant them the ultimate freedom provided by a top number 6 to anchor the midfield. Here's a look at three potential options...

Kalvin Phillips: The versatile Leeds man was a key component of the Whites' near-success in 2018/19 - the metronome at the base of midfield that kept things ticking. The 23-year-old has in fact been linked with a move to Villa Park this summer with Marcelo Bielsa's side having failed to achieve promotion and it's no wonder - Phillips completed an impressive 2.6 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game last season.

Ellyes Skhiri: The Tunisian enforcer enjoyed a fine campaign with Montpellier, completing 2.8 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game, while also chalking up three goals and two assists from the base of midfield. The 24-year-old has 17 caps for his country and held the armband three times last term. You might not have heard of him but he could be exactly the kind of player Villa need.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below...

Mohamed Diame: The Senegalese midfielder has Premier League experience in abundance and is set to leave Newcastle on a free this summer upon the expiry of his contract. The 32-year-old might not a key presence for the Magpies anymore but his 2.7 tackles per game last term suggests that he might be the perfect bargain signing for Smith.