Villa sign Goretzka - what went wrong at Bayern and what will he bring?

Aston Villa have secured the signing of Leon Goretzka, the experienced German midfielder, on a free transfer from Bayern Munich. Goretzka, 31, spent eight years at Bayern, winning seven league titles and the Champions League in 2020. He also has 73 caps for Germany. The Villa boss expected Goretzka to bring his extensive experience to the club, which has lost several key players this summer.

Villa's recent 4-0 loss to Brighton has prompted a need to bolster their midfield. Goretzka's potential move to Villa was discussed earlier this summer, with AC Milan also showing interest. However, Bayern Munich was reluctant to let him go due to his sizeable wages and reluctance to accept a salary reduction. In recent years, Goretzka's form has declined, and he has been used primarily as a substitute for both Bayern and the German national team.

Despite this, he still possesses the ability to play in multiple midfield positions and is known for his goalscoring prowess. The signing of Goretzka could help Villa regain their attacking edge in the Premier League.