Amanda Staveley outlines Newcastle transfer stance as Aston Villa brace for battle

If Aston Villa go back in for Yves Bissouma, which they are expected to do so, there will be competition for the Mali international.

Bissouma is one of the top players in his position in the Premier League and although he had an off day against Villa at the weekend the 25 year-old has established himself as a key member of Brighton's squad.

Villa lodged a bid for Bissouma before the end of the January transfer window but were rebuffed with Villa boss Steven Gerrard and sporting director Johan Lange pressing on with what they have at their disposal for the rest of the season.

Villa need a new defensive midfielder and some supporters were surprised and frustrated they did not sign one in the summer but the form of Marvelous Nakamba since Gerrard replaced Dean Smith in November looked to have solved that particular problem in the short-term.

But Nakamba is out with a knee injury picked up in December and Villa were likely to go for Bissouma regardless of the situation with other players in their squad.

Villa have spending power thanks to their billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens and Gerrard, lured to the Second City from Rangers, will have been promised funds for his first summer window in charge.

Bissouma is entering the final year of his contract with Brighton and Villa, if they want to sign him, will be able to get him for a cut-price fee.

Newcastle United are also said to be keen on Bissouma and Eddie Howe's side are expected to be big players in the summer window following the takeover of a Saudi Arabia-backed fund last year.

They are the club that could rival Villa financially if other clubs, such as Manchester United and Liverpool, pursue other targets.

One of the Magpies' owners, Amanda Staveley,