Chery?

Aston Villa are said to be in the box seat in the chase for Groningen winger Tjaronn Chery.

Villa are reported to be in talks for 27-year-old's signature, and are haggling over the Dutch club's asking price.

Chery scored 17 goals last season, 15 of wihich were  in the Eredivisie, and served up 12 assists in all competitions.

Villa in the hunt for Asmir Begovic?

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Villa's recruitment team are said to be in the hunt for Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic's signature.

The Bosnia shot stopper is high on title winners Chelsea's shopping list but Villa hope to snare the keeper with the offer of regular first team football. Brad Guzan lost his place to aging Shay Given at the back end of last term.

If Begovic buggers off to Chelsea he's likely to be behind Thibaut Courtois, who has cemented his position as first-choice between the sticks at Stamford Bridge.

The 28-year-old rocked up at the Britannia Stadium in 2010 from Portsmouth and has cemented his reputation as one of the Premier League's best goalkeepers and a key reason Stoke are consistently mid-table.

He has made over 160 appearances for the Potters and has 41 caps for Bosnia.

His signing would likely mean the end of the road for Shay Given, while Guzan might not want to hang about either if he feels he's been replaced.

Villa linked with Angelo Ogbonna

Tuttosport are reporting that Angelo Ogbonna is on his way out of Juventus, with a Villa Park a possible destination.

Bologna and Southamption are also thought be in the running for the defender after he failed to make the expected impact at Juve.

Recently David Gold tweeted "I am delighted to announce the signing of 23-year-old midfielder Pedro Obiang from Sampdoria. Pedro, welcome", while adding a picture of  Angelo Ogbonna.

Ogbonna was used mainly as injury cover last term and will be looking for regular first team football at his next club.

A major downside if we do sign the player will be people who insist on chanting "Oggie, Oggie, Oggie" at every available opportunity.

We can't see this one coming off but then we never thought we'd sign Antonio Luna so what do we know?

Villa linked to left back Jordan Amavi

Reports coming out of France are linking Villa with promising French Under 21 international left back Jordan Amavi.

Amavi made a name for himself last term in Ligue 1 but it would be a huge leap to walk straight into a Premier League outfit such as Villa. Defensively, the lad still needs to learn but he can look exciting when going forward.

Villa have had no shortage of left back's on the books in recent seasons but none of them made the position their own and we ended the season with likes of out of position Kieran Richardson and right backs Matt Lowton and Alan Hutton attempting to fill the void.

If the rumours were true, Villa would face competition from Olympique Lyonnais for the lad's signature.

 

£10 million too pricey for Chester?

Is £10 million too much for a defender at the heart of a defence that has just been relegated?

If that truly is the asking price, as reported in some papers, it is likely to be too rich for Randy's blood.

The Welsh international made 32 appearance for the struggling Tigers last season.

Villa were reported to have scouted Chester (along with a myriad of other players) a couple of seasons ago but the whole scouting operation has been revamped of late.

Standing at just 5' 10", he's hardly what you'd call statuesque.

One to keep an eye on.

Weimann Derby bound?

Shine bright like a Weimann

Villa's Andi Weimann is set for a drop down to the Championship, having failed to live up to his early potential in the Premier League.


The 23-year-old Austrian international has a year to run on his contract but appears to be out of favour since Tim Sherwood took over from dour sourpuss Paul Lambert

His last start for the Premier League club was in the 3-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford on April 4.

Now it looks as though Derby are to swoop with £2 million bid for a striker who never really made the grade.


Weimann can play up front or far less successfully in a wide attacking role.

Derby's options in those areas have been reduced following the departure of Jamie Ward, Tom Ince and Jesse Lingard.