Jota starred under Dean Smith at Brentford but could the pair be reunited in the Premier League at Aston Villa?
Aston Villa are planning a sensational swoop of local rivals Birmingham City with Dean Smith hoping to land his former Brentford winger Jota, according to the Birmingham Mail.
The Blues paid £6 million to sign the gifted Spaniard in the summer of 2017 and he was one of the key players for Garry Monk last season, scoring 10 goals in all competitions.
But the 27-year-old enjoyed his best years under Smith at Brentford, establishing himself as one of the most dangerous attacking players in the Championship and paving the way for that big-money move to the St Andrews.
And, according to the Birmingham Mail, Smith is hoping to reunite with Jota at Villa Park while sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch knows Jota too from his time in Spanish football with Eibar and Celta Vigo.
Aston Villa now have plenty of money to spend with their billionaire owners at the helm, thanks to their promotion back to the Premier League. Birmingham, meanwhile, were docked 12 points last season for breaching Financial Fair Play so could they be forced to sell Jota to their bitter rivals?
The report adds that Gary Gardner, who spent last season on loan at St Andrews, would probably be included in the deal.
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