Yves Bissouma transfer plan confirmed as Aston Villa star makes 'major announcement'

Steven Gerrard has confirmed that Aston Villa had a bid turned down for Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma in the January transfer window - and he will assess the defensive midfield situation again ahead of the summer.

Villa lost holding midfielder Marvelous Nakamba to injury at the back end of last year having begun brightly under Gerrard, and so it was an area of the field that he was keen to address in the winter window.

Villa were able to complete deals for Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne, Robin Olsen and Calum Chambers, but the midfield spot in front of the defence remained unfilled.

That wasn’t through a want of trying; Villa did approach Brighton for Malian Bissouma, with a bid reported to be worth £25m tabled, but the Seagulls didn’t entertain the notion of parting with one of the key members of their squad.

“Incomings, the window was extremely strong," said Gerrard. "There were areas that we needed to find solutions for us to be stronger and better. We got 90/95% of business done that we wanted to get done in the window.

“I’m delighted with the support from the board. It was well documented that we put in a bid for Bissouma at Brighton which was turned away, and we respected and appreciated.

"If a move is not right then we will not become desperate and make a decisions that we do not think is right. If it’s not right at the time we might have to be patient in a few situations.”

Aston Villa star Leon Bailey has teased supporters by revealing a 'major announcement' will be made on Wednesday.

Bailey, 24, has struggled with injuries since sealing a £30million transfer to Villa Park from German club Bayer Leverkusen during the summer.

He's managed one goal and two assists in nine Premier League appearances for