Guzan slinging his hook and joining Middlesbrough

31-year-old USA international Brad Guzan is headed back to the Premier League

The keeper was due at Middlesbrough’s training ground this afternoon, to sign a a two-year deal bringing the curtain down on an eight-year stint at Villa Park

Beautiful Boro

He first joined Villa from MLS side Chivas in 2008, although he was briefly
released in 2012.

He was quickly re-signed by our old pal Paul Lambert and went on to become first choice for much of the rest of his time at Villa.

Gana Everton bound...

Calls to stay fall on deaf ears

Idrissa "Gana" Gueye looks like he's off to Everton with "sources" saying he's had a medical today ahead of what would be a £7 miliion move from Aston Villa.

It had been reported that the Merseyside outfit had triggered the Senegal midfielder's release clause and the player will get another chance to perform in the Premier League, despite the fact that he hardly took it by storm last season, featuring in the worst Villa team in living memory (depending how old you are).

Ronald Koeman

Gueye has been a target for manager Ronald Koeman before; the Dutchman was rumoured to have tried to sign him for Southampton but was pipped at the post by Villa, when he came to the Premier League from Lille.

Carles Gil buggering off to Deportivo.

Reports suggest that flop Carles Gil is off to Deportivo on loan, with an option of a permanent move.

Gil showed flashes of talent but was unable to hold down a regular place in the most woeful Villa team in living memory.

Petrov Villa comeback dream is over

Aston Villa are not offering a playing contract to Stiliyan Petrov, but he may stay at the club in a different role.

The midfielder, 37, has been training with Villa and has featured in pre-season matches, most recently against Worcester City, on Saturday where the crowd loudly sang his name.

Petrov retired from the playing ranks in 2013, having suspended his career a year earlier when he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

The much capped Bulgarian international began training with the club's U21 squad late last season and it was then announced he would play a full part in their pre-season training camp in Austria.

New Villa boss Roberto di Matteo confirmed on Wednesday that Petrov would not be offered a playing contract.

Di Matteo said: "Stiliyan is an inspiration to all of us.

"I have spoken to him and explained my thoughts and offered him the chance to remain at the club. Stiliyan is going to discuss this with his family before coming back to us."

Aaron Tshibola finally confirmed

Aston Villa have finally confirmed the capture of midfielder Aaron Tshibola from Reading for an undisclosed fee (thought to be in the region of 5 million smackeroonies).

Tshibola, 21, has signed a four-year deal and flown straight out to Austria to team up with Roberto Di Matteo's squad on their preseason training camp.

"I am very happy that Aaron has joined," Di Matteo said.

"He's a highly-rated and well respected young player who will provide us with plenty of energy, courage and determination in the middle of the park.

"I am confident he will be a tremendous addition to our squad for the very important new season  and beyond."

Tshibola is Villa's third signing of the summer, following the additions of defender Tommy Elphick from Bournemouth and goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini from Hellas Verona. More additions are expected and there will be inevitable departures as the new boss looks to trim his bloated squad.

Villa sign goalie Gollini from Hellas Verona

Aston Villa have completed the much trailed £4.25million signing of Hellas Verona goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.

The Italy U21 international arrives at Villa Park on a four-year deal from the club that finished last in Serie A last season.

Gollini was largely a bench warmer at Hellas during the last campaign making just three appearances for the Gialloblu last season.

That said, the 21-year-old is highly thought in his home country and has made four appearances for the Italy U21 side.

'I am very pleased to have brought in Pierluigi,' saidVilla boss Roberto Di Matteo .

'We have managed to sign him despite the fact he was being chased by a number of top sides and that is a great sign.

'He's a young man but has plenty of experience and I'm sure he'll prove to be an excellent signing for the club.'
Gollini's signing spells doubt the futures of Brad Guzan and Mark Bunn, who both enjoyed spells as the club's number one goalkeeper last season.

Reading FC accept a £5 million Villa bid for Tshibola

Reading FC have accepted a £5 million bid Villa for midfield prospect Aaron Tshibola .

The former England under-18 international has travelled up to the Midlands to discuss personal terms - with a deal likely to be completed this week.

Jaap Stam did not want to lose Tshibola but the lad  has told the club that he wants to move to Villa Park, forcing Royals to reluctantly accept the offer.

Steve Clarke - who gave Tshibola his full debut - is now assistant manager at Aston Villa and thinks highly of the 21-year-old.

Crystal Palace, Celtic and Norwich City were in the running for the Madejski Stadium academy product, but it looks as though Villa will get their man.

Callum Robinson buggers off to Preston

Preston

Aston Villa forward Callum Robinson has buggered off to Championship side Preston North End on a three-year deal.

The 21-year-old snubbed a new deal with Villato hoock up with the club where he'd had two loan spells.

Robinson "It was obviously a big decision for me leaving Aston Villa, I've been there since I was eight-years-old."

"But if there was ever a club for me to settle down with and sign permanently with, it would be Preston North End."

Preston is famous for being the robot dog off of Wallace and Gromit and once famously stormed off Never Mind the Buzzcocks.