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Aston Villa sign Leander Dendoncker and Jan Bednarek on transfer deadline day

By Andrew Capitelli

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Leander Dendoncker of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 20, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Leander Dendoncker of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 20, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Aston Villa completed deadline-day signings of midfielder Leander Dendoncker and defender Jan Bednarek before the summer transfer window closed on Thursday evening.

Dendoncker, signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers, brings 124 matches of Premier League experience and 29 Belgian caps to Birmingham. At 6-foot-2 he’ll offer manager Steven Gerrard a physical presence in the middle of the park.

Bednarek’s season-long loan deal from Southampton comes on the heels of Diego Carlos’ long-term injury suffered against Everton on August 13. The Poland international will provide much-needed cover at centre back in a team that’s struggled defensively this season.

Gerrard said of the signings: “Both players bring vital Premier League experience and international experience. They bring profile into the team and stature, which I think we need.

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 11: Jan Bednarek of Poland during the UEFA Nations League A Group 4 match between the Netherlands and Poland at the De Kuip on June 11, 2022 in Rotterdam, Netherlands (Photo by Marcel ter Bals/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 11: Jan Bednarek of Poland during the UEFA Nations League A Group 4 match between the Netherlands and Poland at the De Kuip on June 11, 2022 in Rotterdam, Netherlands (Photo by Marcel ter Bals/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /

“I’m hoping they bring a real positive energy that is needed at the moment. Hopefully they’ll give the current group some help and support that is very much needed in view of our recent results.

As for the duo’s availability ahead of Saturday’s clash with champions Manchester City, Gerrard said on Friday:“[Leander’s] got a bit of a throat issue so we’ll have to analyse that as the day goes along.

“I hope both players can be part of the squad, we’ve obviously got a training session now and we’ll make a late decision on both.”

Aston Villa deadline-day tidbits

Douglas Luiz was the big story of the day. Villa made clear their intention to keep the Brazilian and promptly turned town three bids from Arsenal on Thursday.

BOLTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Conor Bradley of Bolton Wanderers battles with Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Bolton Wanderers and Aston Villa at University of Bolton Stadium on August 23, 2022 in Bolton, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
BOLTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Conor Bradley of Bolton Wanderers battles with Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Bolton Wanderers and Aston Villa at University of Bolton Stadium on August 23, 2022 in Bolton, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /

Cameron Archer stays with Villa despite a host of loan offers from the Championship. As it stands, he’s the third-choice forward.

Caleb Chukwuemeka joined League Two Crawley Town on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

Tim Iroegbunam heads to QPR on a season-long loan where he’ll be reunited with former Villa assistant coach Michael Beale.

Tyreik Wright (Bradford City), Brad Young (Ayr United), and Hayden Lindley (Newport County) all left on season-long loan on Thursday.

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