Bolton will line-up with an ex-Villa centre-back pairing this season after they completed a move to sign beanpole Zat Knight.
The towering defender, who stands at 6ft 6ins, has joined the Trotters on a three-year deal and will link up with fellow Villa fan Gary Cahill at the Reebok.
Gary Megson's capture of Cahill from the Claret and Blue last summer for £5m has proved to be an inspired move and Wanderers fans will be hoping that Knight is just as successful in the north-west.
Martin O'Neill may even accept that he made a mistake when deciding to let go of Cahill but he must be confident that he has made the right decision on Knight, who will cost Bolton around £4.5m.
The former Fulham man, who has two England caps to his name, provided Villa fans with some memorable moments during his stay at the club, including a goal on his debut against Chelsea and a dramatic late leveller against Arsenal on Boxing Day last year.
The Claret and Blue faithful have certainly taken a liking to the lanky centre-back and he leaves with the best wishes of all at his beloved club.
However, those same supporters will now be more than a little concerned at the alarming lack of squad members at Villa Park and O'Neill must make his move soon if the squad is to progress from last season.
Villa have just 19 senior players and with the gaffer emphasising his need to bolster a squad which has already lost the likes of Gareth Barry and Martin Laursen, signings are surely imminent.