Aston Villa 'want' free Liverpool transfer as Steven Gerrard plots summer business

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing James Milner on a free transfer when his contract at Liverpool expires in the summer.

The former Villa midfielder is expected to leave Anfield at the end of the season as his current deal with the Reds is due to end in a matter of months.

He has spent seven years at Liverpool after signing for the Merseyside club in 2015 and has won the Premier League, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in that time.

Milner signed for Liverpool after leaving Manchester City - the club he joined after departing from Villa back in 2010.

The 36-year-old has outlined his intentions to keep playing beyond the end of this season and has enjoyed a playing career that has spanned two decades, having made 796 appearances, with 126 of them coming in claret and blue.

And according to football journalist and European transfer expert Ekrem Konur, Milner could return to Villa Park in the summer.

He said on Twitter: "Aston Villa and Crystal Palace want to sign James Milner on a free transfer."

Steven Gerrard knows Milner well from international duty with England, although the current Villa boss left Liverpool as the former Leeds United midfielder arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2015.

Villa are expected to be busy in the summer transfer window with plenty of business to be completed in terms of ins and outs at Villa Park.