Express & Star

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith linked with £8m Barry Bannan move

Villa have been linked with an £8million January move to bring back former midfielder Barry Bannan.

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Barry Bannan (Tony Marsh)

The 28-year-old, who progressed through the youth ranks to the first team at Villa Park, has been one of the Championship’s most consistent performers during his time with Sheffield Wednesday.

He left Villa for Crystal Palace in a deadline day move in 2013 after falling out of the first team picture.

Bannan moved to Hillsborough in 2015, where he has become a firm favourite in midfield. He put in man-of-the-match performances on his return to Villa Park over the last two seasons.

Villa head coach Dean Smith is thought to be an admirer and Bannan would fit into the system he employed at Brentford where he had Ryan Woods playing in front of the back four.

Bannan is under contract for another three years with the Owls.