A selection of stories in the media involving Aston Villa in the last 24 hours.
Veteran playmaker Alessandro Diamanti could be set for a surprise Premier League return with Aston Villa, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The 32-year old enjoyed a less then fruitful spell at West Ham five years ago. but has since rebuilt his career in Italy and wants a return to Europe following his switch to Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande last summer.
Villa are now favourites for the signing of in-demand Barcelona winger Adama Traore, according to the Daily Mail.
The La Masia graduate has interested Liverpool and Stoke City this summer, but the Villans appear to have stolen a march, although it remains unclear whether the deal will be a loan or permanent transfer.
Meanwhile, Aly Cissokho is set to join Porto on a season-long loan, as revealed by the Birmingham Mail.
The left-back is deemed surplus to requirements by Tim Sherwood and has also been attracting interest from Lille and Fiorentina, but a move to Portugal now looks imminent.
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has had his say on which area Villa fall short in, despite a summer of heavy transfer activity.
Predicting Villa’s 2015/16 season in the Daily Telegraph, Smith said:
“Losing Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph raises grave concerns in a side now worryingly short of game-changing talent.”
Finally, Tim Sherwood has asked for patience regarding new signing Jordan Veretout, who he describes as ‘something different’.
Speaking to the club’s official site, Sherwood said:
“We’re really excited about bringing him in. He’s obviously going to take time to settle but he’s going to be in a good place.”
“He’s not the finished article by any means, and nor are the rest of the guys, but they’re willing to develop.”
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