Villa return to Barnsley for Watkins

Marley Watkins has been linked with a move to Aston Villa.

According to a report in the Birmingham Mail the Barnsley midfielder is the latest in an apparent conveyor belt of players making the journey from Oakwell to Villa Park.

Watkins has knocked back a new contract with the Yorkshire side with Villa leading a queue of Championship sides showing interest in the 26-year-old.

In January James Bree and Conor Hourihane were signed up by Steve Bruce who is obviously impressed by the way Barnsley performed in The Championship.

After steering well clear of relegation Barnsley are now paying the price with other clubs showing interest in their players who are suddenly looking for deals comparable with what is on offer elsewhere.

In terms of wages Villa are among the top payers in the division with an approach from Steve Bruce to Watkins likely to be successful- unless Bree and Hourihane have scared their former team mate off!