Villa eye up move for Woodyard

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Alex Woodyard.

According to a report in the Birmingham Mail the Lincoln City midfielder has attracted the attention of Villa’s scouting network as they look closer to home for promotion prospects.

Woodyard was a massive influence in Lincoln’s promotion back to the Football League and run to the last eight of the FA Cup where they lost out to eventual winners Arsenal.

Despite pledging his future to Lincoln by signing a new contract in March the 24-year-old is bound to be tempted to move on with the offer of Championship football.

Steve Bruce has made it a priority to get the mix right around Jack Grealish and believes that Woodyard’s defensive strengths can allow Grealish to push forward and express himself in an attacking sense.

Lincoln are keen to hold on to the midfielder but an offer in the region of £300,000 plus add-ons could be reinvested as they prepare for their return to the Football League.