Despite controversially being left out of the England squad, former Hull City ace, Dean Windass, has advised James Ward-Prowse to stay at Southampton amid interest from free-spending Aston Villa.

Many fans were shocked to see Ward-Prowse excluded at the expense of Ben White in Gareth Southgate's England squad, however, after the performances of both Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips, the England manager appears to have silenced his critics once again.

Something that is less of a surprise is that Ward-Prowse is being linked with a move away from Southampton, with Dean Smith's Villa reportedly wanting to bring the set-piece specialist to Villa Park this summer.

The £75,000-per-week midfielder's creativity and dead ball ability would certainly lift pressure off Jack Grealish's shoulders, but he should reject any advances from Villa to stay with the Saints, according to Windass, who spoke exclusively to Transfer Tavern:

"I can't see Ward-Prowse leaving Southampton for Villa because, in my opinion, I think Southampton will finish above Villa next year.

"Why would he want to leave? He's captain of Southampton and he's a big fish in their pond so like I said earlier on, why would he want to go?"

Villa look to be making a big splash in the transfer market this summer having already confirmed the £33million signing of Emiliano Buendia who is coming off the back of yet another title-winning season in the Championship with Norwich City.

Southampton certainly ended up disappointing last season with a relegation battle, but some quality additions on the flanks could turn them into serious contenders in the top-half of the table.