Aston Villa kicked-off their pre-season camp in Australia with a 1-0 win over Leeds United in the early hours of Sunday morning and face Brisbane Roar next in Townsville.
Villa have been active in the transfer window after Boubacar Kamara signed as a free transfer from Marseille just after the end of last season and has since been joined by Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos, while Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen have made their loan moves permanent. Sevilla left-back Ludwig Augustinsson has also agreed a season-loan.
Gerrard is now keen to further add to his squad after selling Matt Targett to Newcastle for £15million after his successful loan and there could be further out-goings among fringe players after Trezeguet's departure.
Here Mirror Football takes a look at the latest Villa transfer news and rumours.
La Liga goal machine linked
Villa are thought to be interested in signing Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas this summer according to reports from Spain.
The £30m-rated Spain international is 27 years of age and can play as a centre-forward or second striker. He has been with Espanyol since 2020 and is under contract until 2026, sharing the same agency as four Aston Villa players. De Tomas has described himself as a ‘ pacey ’ player and has scored 107 senior goals throughout his career.
According to reports from Spain, Villa are one of four Premier League clubs who are interested in De Tomas’ services. De Tomas backed up 23 goals in the Spanish second tier with 17 in La Liga last season.
Gerrard to prioritise new midfielder
Villa remain keen to add another midfielder during the current transfer window. Gerrard has already added five new signings in what has been a busy summer.
The bulk of the club’s business, in terms of incomings, is now thought to be complete though Gerrard would ideally like to strengthen further in the middle of the park according to the Express and Star. Outgoings are likely with Morgan Sanson, Douglas Luiz and Carney Chukwuemeka all facing uncertain futures. The latter pair are both out of contract next year.
Villa striker on the move again
Brazilian striker Wesley is expected to wrap up another loan deal this week to join Levante in Spain. The 25-year-old is booked in for a medical and will cut short his stint at Internacional S.C due to a lack of game time report the Birmingham Mail.
Wesley, a £22million signing for Villa in 2019, initially joined Internacional back in January and penned an 18-month loan deal but, just six months into that agreement, the former Club Brugge man is now returning to Europe. Wesley made 19 appearances at the Brazilian club - scoring twice - but drastically fell out of favour following the club’s appointment of Mano Menezes as manager in April.
He is now due to sign a season-long loan at Levante who, last season, were relegated from La Liga. The Segunda Division club, nicknamed The Frogs, are now managed by former Birmingham City midfielder Mehdi Nafti.
