Amavi set to complete transfer from Nice to Villa by next week

Well finally, in a day of junk news that saw a 0-0 draw against Braga somehow be the highlight, we actually have something good. Gregg Evans of the Birmingham Mail is reporting that only a few formalities remain before 21-year-old left back Jordan Amavi can complete his transfer from Nice to Aston Villa. Once those are taken care of, "Amavi is expected to report to training at Bodymoor Heath early next week."

The move, assumed to be £10 million pounds, would see the young Ligue 1 left back likely become the first choice at that position for Aston Villa. With his only competition being Kieran Richardson and Aly Cissokho (who is still at the club despite the fact that Tim Sherwood doesn't want him), Amavi shouldn't have a hard time sliding into the starting XI.

Bringing in Amavi, especially when coupled with Idrissa Gueye, is an exciting move. Sherwood has no choice or say in the departure of Fabian Delph and the seemingly-just-about-to-happen-always sending off of Christian Benteke. We can't hold those moves against him. Instead, we can look at what he's been able to control this summer. Bring in Amavi, add a couple more players, and suddenly this is a pretty successful first-ever window for Sherwood.