Aston Villa sporting director Johan Lange has moved on two of the club’s long-serving scouts, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Villa to take new approach in recruitment

It looks as if Villa will alter how they go about their player recruitment from now on.

The club spent over £90m on permanent additions this season, most of which have starred at Villa Park.

Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Martinez and Matty Cash are perfect examples, with the trio establishing themselves as mainstays in Dean Smith’s side.

However, according to Football Insider, Villa plan to put more focus on analysts and number crunchers when it comes to possible signings over scouts.

The Latest: Lange gives Brown and Wood their marching orders

Football Insider, who were informed by a Villa source, claim that Mick Brown and Alan Wood, both of who had been at the club for around five years, attended a meeting at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training headquarters on Friday.

Lange, 41, informed them that their services were no longer required, with the club “going in a different direction” as outlined above.

The report described the news regarding the scouts' exits as a surprise, with both highly thought of in their departments.

The Verdict: Another big summer ahead?

With Brown and Wood no longer at the club, the upcoming window could be key for Lange to prove to the club’s owners he was right to change the system.

Reports have suggested that two wide forwards are high up on the Villa Park transfer priorities ahead of the 2021/22 season, with owners Wes Edens and Naseef Sawiris set to fund another big spending spree in a bid to keep Jack Grealish at the club.

Edens and Sawiris have spent around £250m on transfers since their arrival, so it’ll be interesting to see how much will be splashed over the coming months.

In other news: Villa and Everton in battle for former Chelsea youngster, find out more here