Tottenham transfer claim made as £17m Aston Villa star is tipped for exit

Aston Villa have unquestionably come on leaps and bounds in a short space of time under NSWE.

They ploughed hundreds of millions of pounds into the playing squad after securing promotion and have invested heavily since in order to keep the club there again.

The appointment of Steven Gerrard earlier this season opened more doors for Villa, too, when it came to recruitment and the January transfer window proved that - especially with the captures of Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne.

It points to a promising summer window, headed by an ambitious manager who is set to be backed once more by wealthy owners who are keen to sample success and ensure the club are making good progress.

Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer is already pulling up trees at loan club Preston North End, judging by the verdict of their fanbase.

Archer began the season like the house on fire with four goals in the EFL Cup, and a hatful more in the EFL Trophy and for Villa’s under 23s in the Premier League 2.

Minutes under Steven Gerrard were hard to come by, though and, having only previously had a short loan spell at non-league Solihull Moors, the January transfer window provided an ideal opportunity for Villa and Archer to source a suitable loan move.

In Preston, who are managed these days by Ryan Lowe - a man Gerrard knows well - the chance presented itself for Archer - and he’s already taken full advantage of his senior minutes.

From Carlisle to Kent, Kingstanding and Kings Heath - more than 40,000 Aston Villa supporters will descend to Villa Park this weekend as Premier League action returns to B6.

Fans, meanwhile, have been warned of severe delays due to the upcoming Storm Eunice with forecasters warning of 100mph winds which is expected to