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. Danny Ings provided the winner from the penalty spot in a game which was also Boubacar Kamara's first outing in a Villa shirt.
Steven Gerrard’s men will continue their preparations for the new season when they face Brisbane Roar in Townsville.
Villa have been active in the transfer window after 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.
Forest still keen on Davis
Keinan Davis was a big hit on loan at Nottingham Forest last season in the Championship where he helped them up via the play-offs and into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
The striker has since reported back to Villa for pre-season at Gerrard's request but Mirror Football understands Forest still want to buy another striker despite signing former Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi from Union Berlin in a club-record move.
The Reds are keeping the door open for Davis to return on loan or potentially permanently if they can afford it.
Davis, 24, scored five goals in 15 League games for Forest last term as he flourished playing regular football under Steve Cooper.
Chukwuemeka's reported staggering demands
Paris Saint-Germain have become the latest European giant to be linked with Villa attacker Carney Chukwuemeka, who has also been linked with Newcastle.
The 18-year-old starlet is facing an uncertain future after being omitted from Villa’s tour of Australia having failed to sign a new contract.
Chukwuemeka has just 12 months remaining on his deal and Villa will consider cashing in on the England under-19 international in order to avoid losing him for free next summer.
That will require a suitable offer and Villa are thought to value Chukwuemeka, who made 11 Premier League appearances last season, at around £20million. Barcelona have also been tracking the player but none of the suitors have yet firmed up their interest.
Mirror Football understands Chukwuemeka has asked for guarantees about playing time if he commits but Football Insider claim the starlet is asking for £100,000-a-week.
Gallagher bid urged
Transfer pundit Pete O’Rourke told Football Fancast that Villa should step up their interest in Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.
He said: “I think we saw what Conor Gallagher provided for Crystal Palace last year. He was probably one of the best players in the Premier League, for me, on his day. So, he will definitely be a huge signing for Villa if Steven Gerrard was able to get him.” Gallagher made 39 appearances for Palace in 2021/22, scoring eight goals with five assists.
Villa have been persistently linked with Gallagher, 22, who has four England caps after making his debut last November, for most of the summer.
