Anxious wait on extent of Jordan Lyden injury

Relegated Villa today entered a summer of uncertainty anxiously waiting to discover the extent of a knee injury sustained by midfielder Jordan Lyden in yesterday's 4-0 final-day defeat at Arsenal.

The 20-year-old looked in considerable discomfort after being forced off during the second half at the Emirates and caretaker boss Eric Black later revealed the Australian had hurt his meniscus and would be assessed.

Lyden, one of the club's most highly-rated young players, spent much of last season out with a hamstring injury before breaking into the first team this year.

His appearance at Arsenal, where he played as an emergency right wing-back, was his sixth of the season.

An Olivier Giroud hat-trick condemned Villa to a 27th defeat of the season and ensured they finished the campaign 17 points adrift at the foot of the table. All attentions now turn to takeover talks.

A Chinese consortium are understood to be in advanced discussions with chairman Steve Hollis over a sale. It is anticipated the takeover will coincide with the appointment of a new manager, with former Leicester manager Nigel Pearson still the leading candidate to take the reins.

Black yesterday reiterated his belief Villa can bounce quickly back.

"I think it's realistic due to the stature of Aston Villa, no question," he said.