'A blockbuster' - Excitement building ahead of Aston Villa summer transfer window

Aston Villa supporters have spoken of their excitement ahead of what promises to be a pivotal summer of transfer activity at Villa Park. Head coach Steven Gerrard landed the permanent addition of Philippe Coutinho last night for just £17.2million - half of what Barcelona originally asked for.

understands that Gerrard, 41, is targeting as many as six new additions this summer and, ideally, wants them in place by the time Villa jet off to Australia for their pre-season tour in mid-July. “I am pretty satisfied where we are, as of now, in terms of future planning,” Gerrard said of ongoing transfer activity. "We have good people here who know how to do it. I am very much involved in that. It is challenging to get stuff done

“Ideally you want everything to fall into place straight away but it doesn’t work like that. It is a process and you need some patience and luck along the way. The priority is our supporters and I can assure them we will do everything we can to improve this team."

And Villa fans have read Gerrard’s comments with real optimism ahead of next season. Here’s what’s been said.

How exciting is it… Steven Gerrard sounds the real deal. So much passion and, like everyone else, I can't wait for next season.

Now that's what I like to hear, scouring Europe to try & find the next top European centre-half. Premier League experience is NOT essential if the player is good enough. UTV.

Seeing Coutinho signed for £17m makes me wonder what Gerrard would have done with the £100m from last summer, and who we would have got in. Can't wait for the window to open. Gonna be a good one, fellow Villans!

Well the window, for me, can't come quick enough. SG will have his list of targets at the ready as we speak as it can't