Villa secure Lenglet loan to cover Mings injury

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Clement Lenglet from Barcelona on a season-long loan. 

The arrival of the French central defender will help soften the blow of Tyrone Mings' serious knee injury, which he sustained in the 5-1 defeat at Newcastle on the Premier League's opening weekend.

Villa boss Unai Emery spoke about Lenglet's potential after his side's 3-0 win over Hibernian on Thursday, which secured their place in the group stage of the Europa Conference League.

The Basque manager said: "He's [Lenglet] a player who can help us. With the injury to Mings, he can replace him in the squad."

Lenglet, 28, is no stranger to the Premier League having spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Tottenham. 

He made 35 appearances in all competitions for the North Londoners and scored his only goal for the club in a 2-1 victory at Marseille which secured passage to the Champions League knockout stage.

Lenglet is Villa's second defensive signing of the summer after the acquisition of Pau Torres from Villarreal.

The West Midlands outfit have been very busy in the market, also bolstering their attack and midfield departments with the acquisitions of Moussa Diaby, Nicolo Zaniolo and Youri Tielemans.

Villa have bounced back after their humbling at St James' Park last month, beating Everton and Burnley in their last two Premier League matches by an aggregate score of 7-1.

The Villans' final game before September's international break pits them against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday and they then return to action on September 16 with a home fixture versus Crystal Palace.