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Aston Villa target top-half finish after appointing Copenhagen chief Johan Lange as their new sporting director... just days after Jesus Garcia Pitarch was sacked despite Premier League survival

Aston Villa have appointed FC Copenhagen transfer chief Johan Lange as their new sporting director.

Lange replaces Jesus Garcia Pitarch, who was sacked earlier this week after masterminding a £140m transfer campaign in the last 12 months, had an outstanding track record of turning a profit in the market during his time in the Danish capital. Lange was assistant to Stale Solbakken during his brief reign as Wolves manager between 2012 and 2013.

Even though they have appointed from overseas, it is thought Villa are set to target players with Premier League experience as they seek to improve on a campaign in which they avoided relegation only on the final day of the season.