How Wesley is doing since leaving Aston Villa on loan

Aston Villa broke their transfer record to sign Brazilian striker Wesley from Club Brugge in 2019, just weeks after the club secured promotion back to the Premier League.

He cost £22million and arrived in England with a decent reputation on the continent, having played Champions League football and won prestigious individual honours too. The then-22-year-old scored 17 goals in the 2018/19 season and spent four seasons with Club Brugge, helping them win two league titles and two Belgian Super Cups.

Wesley made six Champions League appearances that campaign too, scoring twice for Brugge against Monaco in the group stages. He was also crowned "De Golden Schoen", the award given to the best young player of the year in the Belgian Pro League.

That convinced Villa that he was the man to score the goals that would ensure the club's survival back in the Premier League. But only half of that wish came true, as Wesley played just half a season of football due to serious injury.

When he joined Villa, he said in his first interview with VillaTV: "I was very happy when I heard that Aston Villa were interested in me – and for a record fee. I’m just hoping that now I’ll be able to show why out on the pitch. I’m hoping to prove myself on the pitch.

"For me the Premier League is a real stage – a great division. I’m hoping I can adapt quickly and show what I’ve got to offer. You’re going to see a lot of power and a lot of quality. I’m really happy to have the chance to play in the Premier League and I’m hoping to play well and score lots of goals."

Nearly six months after joining the club, Wesley's future at Villa Park was then thrown into doubt following an injury which he picked up in the 2-1 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on New