Birkir Bjarnason departs Aston Villa by mutual consent

The midfielder departs B6 having made 54 appearances in claret and blue, having joined in January 2017.

The Icelandic midfielder struggled to hold down a starting spot for the club following his arrival, and was utilised in a number of positions during his spell in the West Midlands. He was tipped to depart Villa ahead of today's transfer deadline.

The decision allows the 31-year-old to find a new club right away - with a player unable to register and play for another side until the next transfer window if they're released by their club after the transfer deadline passes.

This move follows the departure of Ross McCormack earlier this summer, who also negotiated an exit in agreement with the club.

Meanwhile, James Bree has left the club on-loan for Luton Town. The right-back spent a portion of last season at Ipswich on a temporary basis, and is behind Frederic Guilbert and Ahmed Elmohamady at Villa Park.