Midlands journalist Josh Holland has claimed at least three first-team Aston Villa stars could all leave this summer. 

The lowdown: Swift operators

Villa have already shown their hand in a big way this summer having completed deals for Diego Carlos, Boubacar Kamara, Robin Olsen and Philippe Coutinho, all following the eye-catching January signing of Lucas Digne from Premier League rivals Everton.

More incomings are expected at Villa Park as Steven Gerrard attempts to build his own squad having taken over from Dean Smith midway through the 2021/22 campaign.

However, one journalist has shed some fresh light on the other side of the coin as the club potentially look to balance the books with some outgoings...

The latest: Trio named

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Holland suggested that Douglas Luiz, Danny Ings and Morgan Sanson could all be facing uncertain futures as Villans.

He explained: “I think they could be in trouble. Douglas Luiz, Sanson and Ings, they are my three that I think we could see moving away from Villa Park.”

The verdict: One out two in

Valued at a combined £63.9million (Transfermarkt), ownership group NSWE could feasibly recoup a vast proportion of their expenditure and in turn, further furnish the budget by selling the aforementioned trio.

However, only signed last summer for £25million and under contract until 2024 (Sky Sports), the departure of Ings seems highly unlikely at this juncture as Gerrard will be looking to the proven goalscorers in the squad to drive a charge up the table next season.

Keeping hold of Luiz meanwhile could prove a difficult task however as the Brazilian has been the subject of interest from Arsenal previously having made great strides since joining Villa.

Despite being under terms until 2025, Sanson could well be free to leave the club in the summer after the French midfielder made just ten outings under Gerrard, starting on three occasions.

In other news, Aston Villa are eyeing a Champions League star Gerrard saw up close on a scouting trip