Aston Villa to table £2.3m offer for Serie B defender

Aston Villa are reportedly set to table a £2.3m offer for Italy defender Gianmarco Ferrari, according to Tutto Mercato Web.

The Premier League side, who remain rock-bottom in the standings despite their first win since the opening day of the 2015-16 campaign at home to Crystal Palace on Tuesday night, are ready to fend off Genoa and Palermo to capture the FC Crotone centre-half this month.

The 23-year-old, who began his career at Parma, has made 24 appearances in all competitions for the Serie B outfit this season.

Ferrari has impressed for Crotone this term as the second-flight promotion candidates have conceded just 16 goals in their 21 league games, alerting Villa boss Remi Garde to his defensive resoluteness during the January transfer window as his side still lurk eight points adrift of safety.