Luiz ‘dreaming big’ after completing Villa move

Douglas Luiz wants Aston Villa to “dream big” after completing his move to the Midlands side from Manchester City. Luiz joined City from hometown club Vasco da Gama in 2017 but never featured for Pep Guardiola’s side and spent the last two seasons on loan at Spanish side Girona.

He has signed on at Villa Park for an undisclosed fee, becoming the tenth summer arrival at the promoted side. Boss Dean Smith has splashed in excess of €110m in bolstering his squad for the Premier League.

“Douglas is an extremely talented young player with an outstanding pedigree, who I am sure will fit nicely into our style and system of play,” Smith said. The 21-year-old Brazilian aims to be “a leader” on the pitch for his new club and says Villa must return to England’s top table with plenty of ambition.

“I hope I can be a leader in the team. I hope I can help by bringing the ball out from the back and although I don’t speak a lot of English, I hope I can help out by shouting orders from the back and live up to all the expectations as best as I can,” Luiz told his new club’s website.

“Right now I’m confident in saying that, God willing, I can shine in the Premier League. So I hope I cannot just talk the talk but also walk the walk and that’s my main aim.

“I came here to learn but, more than anything, to dream big and to be a leader on the pitch.” Aston Villa are 3.00 to be relegated this season.