Aston Villa poach captain from Championship rival

 

Aston Villa have announced they have completed a deal to sign Nottingham Forest captain Henri Lansbury in a deal believed to be worth £2.75m.

 

Lansbury, who hasn’t played since picking up an injury at the start of December, had been linked with a move away from the City Ground all month.

 

Forest had already rejected a bid from fierce rivals Derby but Villa have won the race to land the 26-year-old on a four-and-a-half-year deal keeping him at the club until 2021.

 

“I am delighted to be here at Aston Villa,” Lansbury’s told the club’s official website. “As soon as I knew Aston Villa were interested, I wanted to come here.”

 

“It’s the size and reputation of the football club that attracted me. It’s a big, big name in the English game and I can’t wait to get started here now.”

 

 

Villa have been one of the biggest spenders in the Championship this season and they aren’t expected to stop with the signing of Lansbury, with Barnsley captain Conor Hourihane also expected to follow through the door this month.

 

Steve Bruce is keen to add creativity and goals to his midfield, an area where they are incredibly short, as they look to close the gap between themselves and the play-off positions, which currently stands at 10 points.

 

Only three central midfielders have played a direct hand in more Championship goals than Lansbury (9) this season.

 

For more stats on Henri Lansbury, click here to visit his WhoScored player page