Westwood has been linked with a move to Turf Moor and Villa are set to receive a first bid this week.
Burnley will test Aston Villa’s resolve to keep hold of their regular players by making an opening £6 million bid for midfielder Ashley Westwood, according to the Birmingham Mail.
Westwood has been a regular for Villa since joining from Crewe Alexandra four years ago, and has made 139 appearances for the club to date.
He played 37 times in all competitions for the relegated side last term, but has been heavily linked with a move away to a Premier League side since the Birmingham club succumbed to the drop.
Chief amongst the parties interested have been Burnley, with Sean Dyche looking to add more top-flight experience to his newly-promoted squad in a bid to ensure they put up a fight for survival after losing key man Joey Barton on a free transfer to Rangers.
Westwood would certainly satisfy that need, with 119 Premier League starts to his name, but Roberto Di Matteo is likely to be keen to hold onto the quiet star to aid with a promotion push, particularly with other higher-profile stars such as Idrissa Gana looking certain to depart.
The midfielder only signed a new five-year deal at Villa Park last year, but the Birmingham Mail claims that Burnley are hopeful that an offer of £6 million will persuade the fallen club to cash in.
It would be a surprise to see that opening bid accepted, but a higher follow-up offer may be hard for Villa to refuse, particularly if Westwood voices his desire to remain in the Premier League.
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