Aston Villa continue their search for a striker
Villa will take their striker search into the final days of the transfer window as Dean Smith looks to complete his summer rebuild.
The club are still considering a number of options though Brentford’s Neal Maupay, a target for most of the summer, appears likely to join Premier League rivals Brighton.
A swoop for another Bees player, winger Said Benrahma, remains possible though Villa have previously been reluctant to meet the London club’s £20million asking price for the Algerian international.
Villa have so far brought in 12 players at a cost of more than £130million, including a club record £22million on Brazilian striker Wesley.
But Smith remains keen to add another goalscorer to the ranks to help carry the load, with last season’s top marksman, Tammy Abraham, having returned to parent club Chelsea.
Villa completed their pre-season programme with a 3-1 win at RB Leipzig on Saturday.
Conor Hourihane netted two long-range free-kicks, while John McGinn was also on target against the Bundesliga club.
The two clubs also met in a behind-closed doors friendly yesterday before Villa returned to the UK, with Smith’s men again finishing on top courtesy of an 87th-minute strike from Jonathan Kodjia.
Midfielder Marvelous Nakamba also featured in an XI which included Birkir Bjarnason and Henri Lansbury. Villa open their Premier League campaign at Tottenham on Saturday.
