Soccer: Everton's Bolasie joins Aston Villa on season-long loan

(Reuters) - Everton winger Yannick Bolasie has joined Championship (second tier) side Aston Villa on a season-long loan deal, both clubs announced on Saturday.

Bolasie, 29, joined Everton from Crystal Palace in August 2016 but sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage in a league match against Manchester United four months later.

The Democratic Republic of Congo international struggled to nail down a spot in Everton’s starting XI since returning last December and the move offers him a chance to regain his form and help Villa return to the Premier League.

“My main aim here is to get this club promoted. A club of this stature has to be in the Premier League,” Bolasie told Villa’s website.

Villa lost their ever-present Premier League status in 2016 and were beaten by Fulham in last season’s Championship playoff.

“I looked around both Villa Park and the training ground, and me and my family just said, ‘wow’. It’s Premier League everywhere you look,” Bolasie added.

The transfer window in England closed on Aug. 9 before the start of the Premier League season, but lower division clubs are allowed to complete loan deals and free transfers before the end of the month.

Former English and European champions Villa are fifth in the Championship after four games.