Villa sign Crespo from Cordoba
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Aston Villa's overhauling of their defence after flirting with relegation last season continued with the signing of Spanish defender Jose Angel Crespo from relegated La Liga side Cordoba for a fee reported to be £500,000.
The 28-year-old -- manager Tim Sherwood's seventh acquisition of the close season which also included defenders Frenchman Jordan Amavi and England international defender Micah Richards -- signed a three-year contract.
Crespo -- who played for Spain at U-19, 20 and 21 levels -- has also had a spell in Italy with Bologna, Padova and Verona.
"He is an experienced player who has played in La Liga and Serie A, two of the strongest leagues in Europe," said Sherwood, who saved Villa from the drop last term and guided them to the FA Cup final after replacing Paul Lambert when he was sacked in February.
Aside from Amavi and Richards, Crespo joins other fresh faces at Villa Park in goalkeeper Mark Bunn, Senegalese international midfielder Idrissa Gueye and forwards Scott Sinclair, who like Richards came from Manchester City, and Ghanaian star Jordan Ayew.
However Villa have lost perhaps their two biggest star performers in Belgian international striker Christian Benteke, whose return to fitness and form towards the end of last term all but singlehandedly saved Villa's elite status, and England midfielder Fabian Delph, who despite saying his future belonged with Villa, agreed a move to Manchester City.