Since bringing in Johan Lange as the club's new Sporting Director, Aston Villa are yet to conclude any business in the transfer window.
It's a summer of stark contrast to the one the Midlanders witnessed in 2019.
They went all out to secure 12 players for combined fees of £140m.
It was a breathtaking summer of spending by Villa who would just about survive by the skin of their teeth.
Last season was not particularly one to remember for Dean Smith's side. Thus, they'll be hoping to make a better fist of things next term.
They start the campaign with clashes against Sheffield United and Fulham so there is no real reason they shouldn't get off to a bright start.
However, they will have to sign a few players between now and the start of the season.
Plenty of strikers have been linked, including Tammy Abraham and Callum Wilson, but it's defensively that they're also looking for new recruits.
Atletico Madrid full-back Kieran Trippier has been touted with a switch back to England but Lange is also in the Italian market.
A report from Ilsecoloxix a few weeks ago detailed Aston Villa's interest in Sampdoria centre-half Omar Colley.
Newcastle and West Ham are also interested in acquiring the 27-year-old and he could well make a move to England.
That's if you believe the player's agent who spoke out this week.
Cheikh Fall spoke to ANSA (via Sport Witness), and said: "It’s true, there have been enquiries by English teams, but he’s fine in Genoa. We are ready to evaluate proposals because the Premier League is an important championship, but there must be a leap in quality, otherwise he will stay at Sampdoria."
Fall added: "The situation is evolving. I repeat, there has been interest from England, but he still has two years with Sampdoria."
GIVEMESPORT'S Matt Dawson says...
Colley isn't widely known to audiences around Europe and in England but he'd offer a great deal to the Villans if he signs.
The Gambian is extremely strong in the tackle and his robust nature should lend itself well to the English game.
He picked up a colossal ten yellow cards in Serie A last term, but he made 1.4 successful challenges per game. That's a tally that betters every single central defender currently in the Aston Villa squad.
Assessing their side (via WhoScored), Kortney Hause makes 1.2 a match with Ezri Konsa producing just 0.7. As for Tyrone Mings, he only completes 0.5 successful tackles an outing.
Those numbers aren't particularly great for defensive players so adding someone completely different in Colley could go a long way to shoring up their backline.
Villa now just better hope that they represent an upgrade on a side like Sampdoria.