Forgotten Aston Villa trio aim for deadline day exit
Villa were today braced for a possible deadline day exodus with a trio of players still looking to leave the club.
Forgotten men Ross McCormack, Tommy Elphick and Gary Gardner all entered the final hours of the transfer window hoping to complete exits.
Striker McCormack and defender Elphick are both targets for Sunderland, with the Black Cats yesterday making an approach to take the latter on loan.
Blues were interested in taking Elphick in a permanent deal earlier in the summer but Villa refused to lower their asking price for the 29-year-old.
Sunderland are also favourites to complete a loan deal for McCormack should the two clubs reach an agreement on how to split the Scot's £45,000-a-week wages. Midfielder Gardner is meanwhile seeking a fresh challenge after finding their first-team opportunities limited.
Trimming what was previously a bloated squad has been the key focus of the summer for boss Steve Bruce, who has had to balance incomings with outgoings in order to ensure the club comply with their Financial Fair Play obligations.
The manager would ideally like to add another forward to the ranks before tonight’s deadline but will only be able to do so should Villa be successful in moving players out.
Former Blues right-back Stephen Kelly is meanwhile training with Villa’s under-23s. The 33-year-old is building fitness at Bodymoor Heath as he searches for a new club.
