Premier League clubs 'will return' for Aston Villa target

Aston Villa were strongly linked with a move for Genoa left-back Aaron Hickey in January.

According to reports in Italy, Villa had a bid of £8.5million turned down by the Serie A club.

Steven Gerrard did land a left-sided defender during the transfer window, with Lucas Digne arriving from Everton, while Matt Targett linked up with Newcastle United on loan.

Whether Villa go back in for Hickey could hinge on the future of Targett, who could be offloaded permanently in the summer.

But Premier League interest in the highly-rated Scot will resurface in the summer, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

In a column for CBS, where he highlighted seven Serie A transfer to watch, Romano wrote: “Impressive performances out of this full back from the class of 2002, capable of kicking with right and left foot at the same level.

“Not only does the 19-year-old talent already have four goals to his name, he is also capable of providing assists and is always in Bologna boss Siniša Mihajlović's starting XI.

“Aston Villa wanted this prized talent in January, but Bologna refused. Come summertime, Premier League clubs will return for Hickey.”