Belgian media encourage Aston Villa to accelerate Leandro Trossard move

Belgian media have told Aston Villa why they must sign Leandro Trossard this summer after he shone in their World Cup win against the USA.

Rudi Garcia's side progressed to the World Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 thrashing of co-hosts USA in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The build-up to the game was dominated by controversy surrounding FIFA's decision to allow Folarin Balogun to play despite picking up a red card last time out against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Belgium quietened the noise with an impressive display in Seattle that means they will now face Spain in the quarter-finals.

Arsenal winger Trossard continued his fine World Cup campaign with an expert showing against the co-hosts.

The 31-year-old picked up an assist in the first half, meaning he now has five goal contributions in as many World Cup games so far.

He has been closely linked with a move to Aston Villa this summer, with Unai Emery's side told exactly why they must accelerate a move in the coming weeks.

Leandro Trossard praised as 'everywhere on the field' in USA win

Trossard's third assist of the tournament came in the 33rd minute, as he lofted a cross for Charles De Ketelaere to head home and notch a first-half brace.

He has now created more chances than any other player at the World Cup so far, with 17, and is in line to feature from the off again against Spain on Friday night.

Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Trossard is open to joining Villa this summer after they registered an interest in his services.

They should be hugely encouraged to make a move soon, after Belgian outlet La Libre handed him an eight out of 10 and said: "He kept up his momentum and has shown that he feels more comfortable on the left flank. A perfect cross to De Ketelaere’s head (1-1) - just like the dozens he delivered for Arsenal."

RTBF said: "Leandro Trossard continues to have a great World Cup. Against the United States, the Arsenal player was everywhere on the field. His presence up front was a boon to the entire Belgian team. In fact, he was the one who provided the assist on Belgium’s second goal, scored by De Ketelaere."

While Maxifoot heaped more praise on Trossard by saying: "A huge game for the Arsenal winger. Playing on the left, the Belgian constantly troubled the U.S. defence with his technical skill and movement. His cross led to the opening goal, even though Freeman failed to clear it properly before Raskin intervened.

"On the second goal, he did superb work, making a run down the wing and delivering a perfect cross to the far post for De Ketelaere’s header. Still a threat after halftime—with a shot blocked by Richards following a nice play initiated by Doku—the former Brighton player was one of the key contributors to this qualification."

How have other Arsenal players got on at the World Cup?

Mikel Arteta will be hoping for a clean bill of health when all of his stars return from their World Cup exploits in a few weeks' time.

Trossard is one of 10 current Gunners players in the quarter-finals, with Mikel Merino setting Spain up to face Belgium later this week alongside David Raya and Martin Zubimendi after he scored the winner against Portugal on Monday.

England's Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze will each take on Norway captain Martin Odegaard on Saturday night.

William Saliba is set to continue starting for France as they face Morocco on Thursday.