{"id":448759,"date":"2019-06-01T13:41:52","date_gmt":"2019-06-01T17:41:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=448759"},"modified":"2019-06-01T13:41:52","modified_gmt":"2019-06-01T17:41:52","slug":"jota-shock-move-midlands-rivals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/06\/01\/jota-shock-move-midlands-rivals\/","title":{"rendered":"Birmingham City’s Jota Set for Shock Move to Midlands Rivals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Birmingham City winger Jota<\/a> has signed for Midlands rivals Aston Villa<\/a>, according to Joseph Chapman of Birmingham Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Aston Villa Sign Jota From Birmingham City<\/h1>\n

Historic Transfer Across Town<\/h2>\n

27-year-old Jota has become the first player to move directly between the Second City rivals since Alan Curbishley in 1983.<\/p>\n

The former Brentford wide-man underwent a medial on Friday ahead of a move to the newly promoted Premier League side. The move will see Gary Gardner<\/a> move in the other direction in a permanent transfer.<\/p>\n

Jota is well known to Dean Smith due to their Brentford connections.<\/p>\n

He joined Birmingham City two years ago for \u00a36 million. The Spaniard has scored eight goals in 75 appearances for the Blues.<\/p>\n

Academy product Gardner spent last season on loan with Birmingham City; it is understood that the 26-year-old is not part of Smith’s plans in the Premier League.<\/p>\n

Birmingham Live report that Villa will pay a fee of around \u00a34 million for Jota, though a precise amount has not been agreed.<\/p>\n

Aston Villa were promoted to the Premier League after beating Derby County 2-1 in the play-off final. Ending a three-year absence from the top-flight, Villa boss Smith is therefore desperate to boost his chances of survival upon their return.<\/p>\n

Heading Out<\/h2>\n

Albert Adomah<\/a>, Tommy Elphick<\/a> and Mile Jedinak<\/a> are all set to leave Villa Park; their contracts expire at the end of June.\u00a0Glenn Whelan<\/a>‘s future with the Midlands side has also been decided with the midfielder being released ahead of the Premier League campaign.<\/p>\n

In addition, Alan Hutton<\/a>, Aston Villa’s longest-serving current play, has become the latest Villain to confirm his departure.<\/p>\n

The Scotsman posted on Instagram that Villa will “forever be in his heart” after not being offered a new deal.<\/p>\n

Hutton’s eight-year spell with Villa saw the 34-year-old make a total of 202 appearances.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>