Aston Villa target ‘wanted transfer’ as Ashley Young sends ‘confidence’ message to teammates

Aston Villa are now closing in on their return to action after a break due to the Queen’s death.

Steven Gerrard’s men will be desperate to get back to action as they look to correct a disappointing start to the season.

Villa face Southampton on Friday night, and it will be the Lions’ final chance to take a step in the right direction before the international break.

Gerrard will already be feeling the pressure after being backed in the summer, and he won’t want to go into the break with another disappointing result.

As the build-up to that clash continues, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Villa.

Dawson wanted move

West Ham United star Craig Dawson is said to have been keen on a move to Aston Villa in the summer window.

Dawson has featured sparingly for the Hammers recently, and David Moyes has already spoken about how the defender almost departed in the summer window.

It was Wolves who came closest, but they were not willing to meet West Ham’s £7million asking price.

According to Sky Sports, Dawson wanted a return to the Midlands amid interest from Wolves and reported interest from Villa, following the injury suffered by Diego Carlos.

Dawson is likely to secure a move away in the January window.

Young speaks

Villa veteran Ashley Young has called upon his teammates to build on the draw with Manchester City last time out.

Young, who could well start in the absence of Matty Cash on Friday night, said via the Express and Star: “After the result against Manchester City, I think it was a big confidence boost.

“Me and my ambitious self, to be honest I think we could have won the game but it’s one of those things, you’ve got to take confidence out of a game like that.

“I think the way we performed, the way we played, was good to see. The fans could understand we put everything out there and that’s how it’s got to be in every game.”

He added: “We’re going into an international break and we want to put on a good performance like we showed against City and go again and hopefully get three points at home.

“You want to go into an international break on the back of a good performance.”