Aston Villa begin rebuild with Albert Adomah and Tommy Elphick heading for the exit

The pair, who both joined in the summer of 2016 following Villa’s relegation to the Championship, will depart when their contracts expire at the end of next month.

Winger Adomah was in the starting XI for Monday’s play-off final victory over Derby, which sealed Villa’s return to the top flight.

But boss Dean Smith is keen to lower the average age of his squad and does not see the 31-year-old as part of his future plans.

Neither is Elphick, also 31, who is considering offers from Championship clubs as he prepares for his next move.

The defender was Villa’s first signing following relegation when he joined in a £3million switch from Bournemouth and made captain by then boss Roberto Di Matteo.

Yet he went on to make just 46 total appearances for the club during three seasons riddled with bad luck and injury.

Villa have an option to sign Wolves centre-back Kortney Hause permanently, while talks with Bournemouth over a deal for fellow loan star Tyrone Mings are expected to pick up pace in the coming weeks.

The club have also been linked with a move for Brentford striker Neal Maupay, who scored 28 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions this season and played under Smith with the Bees.

Nottingham Forest winger Joe Lolley is another player on Villa’s radar as Smith looks to boost his wing options.