Exclusive: Aston Villa attacking midfielder close to joining league leaders

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

17 Aug 2018, 10:43 am

EXCLUSIVE By Pete O'Rourke

Aston Villa starlet Callum O'Hare is closing in on a loan move to Barnsley, Football Insider sources understands.

A number of Football League clubs have made enquiries to Villa about the availability of the 20-year-old as they look to sign him for the 2018-19 campaign.

A well placed source has told Football Insider that League One leaders Barnsley are leading the race to take the attacking midfielder on loan.

O'Hare is working his way back to fitness after missing pre-season with a knee injury he picked up in May at a Hong Kong sevens tournament.

Villa are considering sending him out on loan before the end of the loan window at the end of August so that he can regain his match sharpness by playing regularly.

O'Hare is highly-regarded at Villa Park and with his first-team opportunities set to be limited this season Steve Bruce could be open to loaning him out that he can continue his development with regular first-team football.

The youngster made his first-team debut for Villa last season in the EFL Cup against Colchester and went on to make eight appearances for Bruce's side last term.

In other news, the giants have opened TALKS to sign a centre-back.

Aston Villa

Steve Bruce