Philippe Coutinho move 'not straightforward' as Aston Villa face Man Utd transfer competition

Here are your Aston Villa headlines on Sunday, March 13, 2022.

Aston Villa are reportedly set to make an approach for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips this summer.

The 26-year-old could leave his boyhood club in the summer amid interest from a host of Premier League clubs including Villa, although he will almost certainly be more attainable if the club drop out of the top-flight at the end of the season.

Villa will move for a holding midfielder when the transfer window opens having tried and failed to sign Yves Bissouma in January.

Brighton turned down a bid in the region of £25million for Bissouma and Gerrard has hinted that he will revisit the situation in the summer.

But fresh reports claim that Phillips will also be on Villa's radar, with the club drawing up shortlists and plans for the window in advance.

England international Phillips won't come cheap if Leeds remain in the Premier League, but that is unlikely to deter clubs from testing their resolve for the midfielder.

The Daily Mail report that Newcastle United are also among the clubs prepared to "rival" Villa for the midfielder this summer. Manchester United are also among Phillips' admirers.

Philippe Coutinho is exhibiting some top form at Aston Villa as the Brazilian continues to impress on loan from Barcelona.

The 29-year-old could join Villa on a permanent basis in the summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £33million, yet boss Steven Gerrard claims the deal is not as straightforward as people might think.

Coutinho has made seven goal contributions in his first eight games for Villa and the club have climbed the league table since his arrival in January.

He joined Villa on loan from Barca as the Spanish club looked to shift some of