Luiz previously spent five years with Villa after arriving from Manchester City in July 2019, after the club's promotion back to the Premier League.

He helped Villa re-establish itself in the top flight and become regular contender for European football, culminating in a fourth-placed finish in 2023-2024.

Luiz was voted Player of the Season by both his team-mates and Villa's supporters after that campaign, having scored 10 goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions. 

However, he subsequently departed for Juventus in a deal worth over €50m (£43m), with Villa reportedly needing a sale in order to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability regulations.

Luiz struggled for game time in Turin and was loaned out to Forest at the start of this season, appearing 14 times across all competitions before Juve cut his loan at the City Ground short.

The Brazilian will link up with Unai Emery's squad for the remainder of 2025-2026, after injuries to Youri Tielemans and John McGinn left it short-handed in central midfield. 

Luiz is the second former Villa player to return to the club this week, after it sealed a €21m (£18.25m) deal to re-sign striker Tammy Abraham from Besiktas.