Joe Bennett set to leave Aston Villa for Sheffield Wednesday

The 26-year-old left-back is expected to sign a three-year deal at Hillsborough in the next 24 hours after the clubs agreed a fee.

Bennett was not involved as Villa lost their season opener 1-0 at Wednesday on Sunday and has been deemed surplus to requirements by manager Roberto Di Matteo, who has Aly Cissokho and Jordan Amavi ahead of him in the pecking order.

A £2.75million signing from Middlesbrough four years ago, Bennett had not featured in a league game for Villa in the past two seasons.

He spent the second half of last year on loan with Wednesday and remains highly-rated by Owls boss Carlos Carvahal, despite injury limiting him to just five appearances.

Bennett had initially been expected to feature for Villa this season following some encouraging pre-season performances.

Instead, he is set to follow Juan Angel Crespo, Carles Gil, Brad Guzan, Idrissa Gana, Ciaran Clark and Scott Sinclair through the Villa Park exit door.

With Villa hoping to bring in another midfielder before the weekend, Di Matteo is still keen to trim his squad.

Defender Joleon Lescott and striker Gabriel Agbonlahor have both been told he can leave, while midfielder Carlos Sanchez and Jordan Veretout are being targeted by Fiorentina and St Etienne respectively.