Aston Villa transfer targets assessed as Konsa speculation is quashed

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Villa returned to winning ways at Brighton on Saturday, but Gerrard’s team have recorded just two wins from nine games and the focus is already turning to next season.

Midfield has been the greatest area of concern to Gerrard, who has been forced to use Douglas Luiz out of position in the absence of Marvelous Nakamba.

Zimbabwean anchor-man Nakamba could return from injury before the end of the season, but Villa are still likely to address the area in the summer transfer window.

Yves Bissouma, who played 90 minutes for Brighton against Villa at the weekend, is the leading candidate to fill the vacancy. Gerrard has revealed Villa were unsuccessful with a late bid for Bissouma in the January window and the deal could be revisited in the summer.

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It took all of 12 minutes for Cameron Archer to fire home his first Championship goal for Preston North End - and it just had to be against West Brom.

The 20-year-old is currently averaging a goal every other game, or thereabouts, after his four strikes from his nine appearances (six starts) under Ryan Lowe at Deepdale.

The Walsall youngster's tally stands at 14 from 17 senior appearances in all competitions this season after exploding onto the scene under previous Villa manager Dean Smith back in the summer.

As for Steven Gerrard, he was asked about Archer prior to his loan switch, and said: "He knows what I think of him and what we think of him, a player with huge potential who's got a bright future, but he needs to keep proving himself because he's got a lot of stiff competition in that area."

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