Aston Villa sign Clement Lenglet on loan from Barcelona

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Clement Lenglet on loan from Barcelona for the rest of the season.

The 28-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements by manager Xavi at Camp Nou, and spent last term on loan at Villa's Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Lenglet made 35 appearances for Spurs during his time in North London, and he has now secured a return to England for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.

The France international becomes Villa's fifth signing of the summer after Moussa Diaby, Pau Torres, Nicolo Zaniolo and Youri Tielemans.

Lenglet could make his debut for his new side when they take on Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

Clément Lenglet. Villan. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/JOmV6E2Ofs

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 1, 2023

Despite having already brought in Torres to bolster their defensive ranks this summer, Villa found themselves in need of further reinforcements after Tyrone Mings suffered a serious knee injury on the opening weekend of the campaign.

Centre-back Lenglet will now compete for a starting position at the heart of the defence with the likes of Torres, Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos and Kortney Hause.

Aston Villa are understood to be paying around 75% of Lenglet's salary during his stay with the club, with Barcelona fulfilling the remaining 25%.

Unai Emery's side were thrashed by Newcastle United on the opening day of the season, but have since won four matches in a row across all competitions, scoring 15 goals in the process.

The Villans will travel to Anfield this weekend off the back of an 8-0 aggregate victory over Hibernian which sealed their place in the group stage of the Europa Conference League.