Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater, desperate for playing time, has joined Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the season.
The former Leicester City title winner joined Chelsea in the summer of 2017 but has made just five Premier League starts for the Blues.
Drinkwater had joined Burnley on loan this past summer but made just two appearances for the Clarets across all competitions, with the team conceding five goals to Man City and Sunderland while he was on the field. He also struggled through a two month injury spell after hurting his ankle in a nightclub fight.
“Danny was a key member of Leicester City’s title winning team and has represented England so he is a vastly experienced player,” said Aston Villa manager Dean Smith in the official team release. “He will strengthen our squad significantly.”
The 29-year-old is a boost for Aston Villa with key squad member John McGinn sidelined for three months with an ankle fracture. In his absence, Villa has rotated Henri Lansbury, Connor Hourihane, and Marvelous Nakamba as compliments to regular starter Douglas Luiz.