Express & Star

Aston Villa signing Jota expects Blues boos

New Aston Villa signing Jota admits his former fans from fierce rivals Birmingham will not understand his move across the Second City.

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The Spanish midfielder became the first player to move directly between the two clubs since Alan Curbishley in 1983, and understands he will be booed by Blues fans.

The 27-year-old moved in a £4million deal which took Gary Gardner in the opposite direction in a move that helped ease Blues’ financial woes.

And Jota told Spanish newspaper La Voz De La Asturias: “It was all very fast for what these things tend to be. In one week everything was closed.

“For Birmingham it is an injection of money and at the same time it takes out one of the highest salaries.

“The sanction he had last year for financial fair play-nine points were deducted-conditioned them a lot. We have all benefited.

“Maybe the Birmingham fans do not understand it. It’s a very big rivalry. I guess there will be many who do not like it. Some boo in the street I’ll have to take it. Our work is like that and we have to live with it as best we can