Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is set to ship out Anwar El Ghazi, Frederic Guilbert and Henri Lansbury before the domestic transfer window closes, according to reports.

Smith's clearout continues

Smith has been one of the busier Premier League managers this summer after making an array of signings that tallied £74.12m (as per TransferMarkt). However, with the window still, open for clubs to do business with each other in the UK, that figure could be set to increase.

New signing Ollie Watkins has already shown what he can after scoring a sensational hat-trick during his side's 7-2 victory against Liverpool before the international break.

With this in mind, players may have to be sacrificed to control the club's wage bill and avoid a bloated squad - and there could soon be action on this front.

According to Football Insider, Anwar El Ghazi, Frederic Guilbert and Henri Landsbury could all be heading for the Villa Park exit before next Friday's transfer deadline.

The report added that the squad's overhaul in the summer has given the club leeway to ship out some fringe players that are not getting game-time this season.

El Ghazi, Guilbert and Landsbury were all key players for the Villa side that helped them get back into the Premier League in 2019, beating Derby County 2-1 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley. However, none of them have even a matchday squad in the league so far this term.

Smith set to wave goodbye to deadwood

Smith seems to be making all the right moves on the transfer front this summer, with Villa flying high in second place in the top flight.

While bringing in some promising signings who have already made an impact, the Englishman could now claw back some of those funds by selling El Ghazi, Guilbert and Lansbury.

According to Spotrac, they are on a combined weekly salary of just over £110,000, which could prove difficult in moving them on if their agents have any objections to possible pay cuts.

If they do get these deals over the line, it might leave Smith with a temptation to make one or two late purchases in the transfer window.

Aston Villa fans! What are your thoughts on Dean Smith's decision? Do you agree that these players should leave? Join the discussion by commenting below...