The Premier League kicks off in about three weeks and the English clubs are working tirelessly to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.

While the top clubs like Tottenham and Manchester City are breaking the bank for game changers, newly promoted side Aston Villa seem to be making waves in the market this summer.

Dean Smith’s men secured promotion after a tremendous turnaround in the second half of last season. With most of their key players on loan, life after promotion looked uncertain for the midlands club.

The likes of Tyrone Mings, Tammy Abraham, Anwar El Ghazi and Kortney Hause left the club upon the expiry of their loan spell. It was up to the club hierarchy to fill in those gaps this summer and they have delivered emphatically so far.

Here are three reasons why Aston Villa are winning the transfer market so far.

Keeping the core intact

Transfer windows are not all about adding to the squad.

Aston Villa have managed to keep their best players together and that will only benefit them next season.

The likes of Grealish and McGinn have been heavily linked with moves away from the club. However, Dean Smith seems to have convinced them to be a part of Villa’s project going forward.

Grealish was one of the best players in the Championship last season and he is a mercurial talent. There is no doubt that he will make a big difference to Villa’s season next year.

Methodical moves

Aston Villa have spent nearly a £100m on new players this summer.

Although some believe that they are repeating the same mistake Fulham made last year, it is easy to see that there is a well thought out approach to Villa’s transfers.

Fulham signed too many new players last summer and they struggled to gel together and adapt to Jokanovic’s methods.

However, Aston Villa have invested in players who have already played for the club and they will be able to adapt seamlessly next season.

The likes of El Ghazi, Mings, Hause were all key players for Smith last season and Villa have done very well to turn their loan deals into permanent ones now.

All those players are well suited and well versed with Smith’s style and they should be able to make an instant impact.

Wolves managed to thrive in the Premier League after making similar well-planned additions after their promotion last summer.

Key weaknesses addressed

Aston Villa have addressed some of their major weaknesses from last season already.

They needed a strong partner for Mings at the back and they have signed Ezri Konsa this summer. Konsa is one of the most talented young defenders in the country, who wouldn’t look out of place at a top ten club in the league.

Furthermore, Wesley Moraes is a proven striker who will add the firepower in the absence of Tammy Abraham.

Dean Smith has done well to replace his ageing full backs in Hutton and Taylor as well. Matt Targett has played in the Premier League with Southampton and he should prove to be a solid addition. Similarly, Hause did well for Villa on loan last term and he will be hoping to continue that in the Premier League now.

Aston Villa struggled to fashion out chances from the wide areas last summer and they have signed the likes of El Ghazi and Jota to add more sharpness to the flanks.

Mahmoud Trezeguet is expected to come in as well after impressing in the AFCON.

It will be interesting to see if Aston Villa can manage a solid midtable finish in their first season back in the Premier League now. There is no doubt that they have given themselves a great chance with their impressive transfer business.