Aston Villa 'open talks' over stunning transfer as Leon Bailey sends Steven Gerrard message

Hello and welcome to a round-up of all the latest Aston Villa stories from BirminghamLive on Saturday, March 26 2022.

Steven Gerrard's side are having a well-earned break from Premier League competition with their next game coming against Wolverhampton Wanderers on April 2.

Here are the biggest headlines from Villa Park...

Villa have reportedly 'opened talks' with Barcelona about completing a permanent move for Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho is currently on loan from the Nou Camp until the end of the season but Villa do have an option to sign the player for £33 million this summer. The Brazilian has begun life back in the Premier League well with four goals and three assists from ten Premier League games so far for Villa.

That has reportedly attracted the interests of Villa 's Premier League rivals Arsenal, who could swoop in the summer if Coutinho continues his form at Villa Park.

Read the full piece HERE.

Villa winger Leon Bailey completed 90 minutes of football for the first time since the middle of November overnight.

Bailey played for Jamaica in their World Cup qualifying clash with El Salvador in Kingston, which Paul Hall's side drew 1-1. Eriq Zavaleta's first-half strike was cancelled out by an effort from Andre Gray after half-time, leaving Jamaica in seventh place in World Cup qualifying with eight points from 12 games.

Bailey is back fit after a couple of injury problems hampered his start to life at Villa following a £30million summer switch from Bayer Leverkusen.

More HERE.

It just hasn't happened at Villa for Morgan Sanson.

The Frenchman has struggled to get going in the Second City since he sealed a £14million move from Marseille in January last year. Sanson has been hit with injury and illness, limiting