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Aston Villa's latest signing Jota, has confirmed that the lure of playing Premier League football was pivotal in his decision to cross the city.

The 27-year-old had his move from Birmingham City confirmed on Wednesday, with Gary Gardner heading the other way.

Jota becomes the first player to move from B9 to B6 since Alan Curbishley in 1983 and the winger is now excited to get going with what he believes is 'one of the best clubs in England'.

“I am really happy to come and play for a club like Aston Villa ," he told the club's official media team .

“I am looking forward to starting next season.

“It was a long wait this week with medicals but I am happy to be a player for this big club.

“It was important for me to play in the Premier League, I was looking for this. So now I am at a good club to play in the Premier League, being one of the best clubs in England, I am very happy.”

The former Brentford forward will now be reunited with his old manager Dean Smith, who got the best out of the enigmatic Spaniard during their time together at Griffin Park.

“When he called me I know he liked me a lot. I know how he plays, the way he likes to play football," Jota added. “He knows I like this way to play with the ball, with quality, I was happy to be with him again. At Brentford was a good time for us and it could be good years again with him and his staff.”

This is what Dean Smith has said about Villa transfer target Jota - READ

He does have experience of playing at Villa Park, most recently during Villa's 4-2 Second City Derby victory in November. Now he is looking forward to having the support on his side.

“Obviously, people know Villa is a big club, you can feel that. I felt that last year, I was playing for the other team, City, we had big derby games.

“The supporters push the team, I am very happy and proud to play at this big club.”

The ex-Blues man will now go on holiday before joining up with his new teammates at Bodymoor Heath next month.