Aston Villa hero Gareth Barry has hailed the market work of his old club.
Barry says Villa's recruitment is a catalyst for their push for Europe after splashing out £87.5million this campaign on Ollie Watkins & Co.
He told The Sun: “It would have been easy for the owners to say 'look, we just avoided relegation, it's a bit risky giving Dean Smith this sort of money'.
“They'd all be on good wages but they have backed him and he's done his job.
“He's identified the right players and it's all come together.
“They have produced the goods. That wasn't guaranteed with the two Championship players coming in — it's a difficult jump.
“And Ross Barkley's had a big point to prove this year — not getting games at Chelsea — and he's stepped it up.
“The goalkeeper Emi Martinez has been phenomenal, probably the best in the league this year.
“They have all got a point to prove. They are clever signings. A lot of credit must go to identifying what's needed to turn that around.
“Watkins, Matty Cash, you can't say these were guaranteed to be playing as well as they have and to have had the effect they've had.
“It's been great recruitment and fair play to the lads for coming in and doing the job too."
