Aston Villa fans react to links with Bristol City’s Joe Bryan

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Bristol City may struggle to hang on to left-back Joe Bryan this summer, with Championship rivals Aston Villa among those reportedly interested.

Aston Villa thrashed league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-1 on Saturday afternoon to stay within four points of second placed Cardiff City, as the Championship promotion race hots up.

And, according to the Sun, Villa are in such a strong position that they have even started targeting players who would improve their squad upon a potential return to the Premier League.

It is understood that Bristol City’s flying full-back Joe Bryan is one such player. The swashbuckling left-sider has been one of the second tier’s outstanding performers across 2017/18; so much so that barely a day has gone by without him being linked with a move away from Ashton Gate.

Bryan, a versatile 24-year-old who can play in an orthodox left-back position or further forward on the wing, has three goals and two assists in the league, but shot to fame with that rocket of a strike in Bristol City’s stunning EFL Cup quarter-final win against Manchester United in December.

So no wonder Aston Villa fans would love to see him lining up in claret and blue.

The Sun, however, states that a Villa side restricted by Financial Fair Play would only be able to afford Bryan if they are promoted this season. The Mirror, after all, claimed in January that Bristol City would demand £7 million.

But that could be £7 million very well spent.