Aston Villa wrap up a £5m deal for Aaron Tshibola

Villa have completed the signing of midfielder Aaron Tshibola from Reading for £5m.

The 21-year-old has signed a four-year deal and becomes the club's third signing of the summer after centre-back Tommy Elphick and goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.

Tshibola put pen to paper over the weekend and has now flown out to Austria to link up with the rest of the squad for pre-season.

Boss Robert Di Matteo said: "I am very happy that Aaron has joined.

"He's a highly-rated and well respected young player who will provide us with plenty of energy, courage and determination in the middle of the park.

"I am confident he will be a tremendous addition to our squad for the very important new season – and beyond."

Tshibola impressed assistant manager Steve Clarke when he was in charge of the Royals last season.

Clarke threw the youngster into his team at the start of the season but two injuries in October and January cut short his campaign.

Villa thrashed Austrian side Gak 1902 in their first pre-season game on Saturday. Left-back Joe Bennett scored two free-kicks but more noteworthy was the return of former captain Stiliyan Petrov to the side in the 8-0 win.

The 37-year-old, who has been brought in for pre-season after battling leukaemia, played 45 minutes.