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Tonev signing marks the start of Phase Two of the Lambert revolution...

Aleksandar Tonev, a 23-year-old attacking midfield player has completed a medical and agreed terms today at Bodymoor Heath.

Villa and Polish club Lech Poznan have struck a deal and i's will be dotted and t's crossed next week.

"I am really happy to be part of Aston Villa and I am really proud to be able to pull the shirt on," Tonev said. "Aston Villa is a big club and the manager and club have a belief in young players and in the team ethic. Football is not about the individuals. It's a team sport and all successful teams play well together. That's what you can see at Villa, the team is playing together.

"I am part of the team now and I am hungry for success. I want to show everybody what I can really do. I have played in front of big crowds before but the atmosphere here in England is unique. The crowd is like a 12th player for the team and I am looking forward to playing in front of the fans.

"I can't wait to start and to meet my team-mates and the manager. When I heard about Aston Villa, I thought about playing in the Premier League for such a big club. I wasn't thinking about anything else.

"Stiliyan being here wasn't a massive influence on me coming here. Stiliyan and Dimitar Berbatov have done really well in this league and I hope I can do the same. They are both great Bulgarian players and hopefully I can do the same and make my mark on the Premier League.

"I have been watching Villa and I know there are some very good players here. I am really looking forward to being part of the team."

Stan Petrov added: "I think Villa fans have one exciting player on their hands. I think the Club has been monitoring Aleksandar for a few months, they have watched some games and some DVDs.

"He doesn't have a dominant foot which is really interesting and the main thing about him. He is quick, he is an exciting player and I think Villa fans will see he is a good player. He is the kind of player who can really make an impact in this young, exciting team. We spoke last night and he is really looking forward to it. He knows that it will be a challenge but he is ready for it."

Welcome to the Villa Aleks. 

Great signing!

More bread for Baker as he signs new deal.

Aston Villa defender Nathan Baker has signed a new three-year deal after breaking into the first team under Paul Lambert.

The 22-year-old academy graduate at Villa, made 30 appearances for the first team in what was an eventful and fraught season for the back line.

"I'm really happy to have signed and for my future to be with Villa," said Baker.

"It's an exciting time and, because I've come through the academy as well, it's something that's really special to me, something that hopefully I can use as an inspiration in the future.

"We were probably one of the youngest squads in the Premier League last season and we felt that we got stronger and stronger as the season went on.

"The fans could see the progress we were making and they got behind us really strongly. That was felt very keenly by the players.

"Hopefully, next season we can keep improving and we can be even better. I think things are in place that we can really do that."

Villa manager Paul Lambert says Baker is already an integral part of their squad.

"For any player here at Aston Villa, the goal is always to strive to be the best you can and to keep improving as an individual within the team," Lambert said.

"Nathan has demonstrated courage and real willing and he's contributed to the team and these qualities will underpin his efforts going into the new season."

@bakesy23 congrats geez

— Derrick Williams (@DerickWilliams_) June 6, 2013

In other news, Villa are in the process of snapping up Liam Prynn from Torquay United.

Gulls' head-honcho Andrew Candy told the Herald Express: "As I understand it, the terms have been agreed, and all parties are happy about the situation.

"We are certainly excited - the deal is good news for the club, and for Liam and his family.

"But it's good for our other youth players, who see that things like this can happen to a youngster at Torquay United."

A clue to the signing was on Pryn's twitter page last month:

Thanks for the weekend! #AVFC #astonvilla
— Liam Prynn (@prynner6) May 21, 2013

Happy Birthday Dariusz

Exodus: Five Go Out of Villa

As had been widely reported, Aston Villa has confirmed that Richard Dunne, Eric Lichaj, Andy Marshall, Jean II Makoun and Simon Dawkins are leaving the club.

Dunne, Lichaj and Marshall have reached the end of their contracts and have been released.

The enigma that was Jean II Makoun will sign for Rennes after the Ligue 1 side took up their option.

Scarcely seen wide man Simon Dawkins will be sent back to Spurs as his loan deal comes to an end.

Worryingly,  the club website also reports that right back Alan Hutton will return to Villa after finishing his spell at Real Mallorca. It had been thought that he wanted to stay in Spain.

Meanwhile fans of our Under 21 side will be keen to hear that while the contracts of Graham Burke, Derrick Williams, Michael Drennan, Samir Carruthers and Daniel Johnson are set to expire, all five have been offered extensions.

Happy Birthday Tayls

Brazil v England as it was tweeted...