The latest Villa transfer news, rumour, fact-checking & gossip…
GARY GARDNER
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It looks increasingly likely that Gardner will move on, if only on loan for the rest of the season.
Barnsley are widely confirmed as being the most interested party, subject to them coming to an acceptable arrangement for subsidising Gardner’s wages. The Tykes have reportedly confirmed an interest and have identified the Villa academy graduate as a target owing to his Championship experience.
The 25 year old is surplus to requirements given Villa’s extensive midfield options, historic injuries and a lack of overall development – all pointing towards an inevitable exit.
ROSS McCORMACK
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Puzzling flop Ross McCormack has been denied a move to Championship rivals Sunderland.
Whilst the Scot’s issues are well-publicised, it was a surprise to see him being linked to clubs who Villa would be in direct competition with potentially this term.
As it appears that Bruce doesn’t see the former Leeds & Fulham man as part of his plans, it places the club in a difficult position. McCormack is unlikely to get any interest from the top-flight & Championship sides with the cash/interest are evidently out-of-bounds.
After a failed loan deal at Forest & some very tenuous links to Rangers circulating online, there appears next to nothing on the table – and certainly nothing concrete.
Therefore, other than a seriously cut price deal being accepted from a late bidder [unlikely], it appears that the peripheral striker will remain at Villa Park.
TOMMY ELPHICK
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Sunderland again look set to miss out on a transfer target with Villa and Elphick preferring to sit tight.
Elphick featured in Villa’s comfortable win over Wigan in the Carabao Cup, and has courted constant rumour throughout the transfer window.
If there’s an area of the pitch where Villa aren’t brimming with quality or numbers, then it’s centre half.
Whilst Chester & Terry look competent enough, the back-up options of Samba & Elphick are pretty much all that’s left before a big ask would be made of some of the Under 23 side.
Either that…or hope that Micah Richard’s finds form & fitness.
MICAH RICHARDS
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Speaking of Richards….
Another transfer window is all but certain to go by without a sniff of interest in the 29 year old.
However, can we be surprised at this?
The Villa Underground has put together a piece examining all of the reasons why Villa are stuck with Richards for the foreseeable…