Aston Villa completed the £12million signing of striker Ross McCormack from Fulham on Wednesday. The Scottish international arrived after the departures of defender Ciaran Clark to Newcastle and midfielder Idrissa Gueye to Everton earlier this week.
There was optimism ahead of the new season following the arrival of new ownership and Champions League-winning boss Roberto Di Matteo. However, the Villans boss will no doubt need to add more players to his squad for Villa to challenge for promotion next season.
The Italian has added centre-back Tommy Elphick, goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini and midfielder Aaron Tshibola to his squad, although most of the additions have been replacements for players that have departed in the summer.
Villa were woeful last season as they finished bottom of the Premier League. Some critics have described them as the worst team to ever play Premier League football.
A complete rebuild was needed and eight first team players have now left, including experienced ‘keeper Brad Guzan and full-back Kieran Richardson. Di Matteo is unlikely to be finished in the transfer yet though.
The Villans have been drained of quality over the past three years, as their best players have constantly departed for big money. Not many of the Villa players were in demand this summer, so Di Matteo will have the final say over who he wants to go and stay.
The clubs new Chinese owners have already spent a bit of cash, but they have also recouped some through the sales of Gueye and Clark.
Villa have a mighty task on their hands to mount a challenge for promotion in the new season. Without addition strengthening that looks like an unlikely prospect.