Aston Villa hoping to complete deal for West Brom defender James Chester
Villa are hoping to complete the signing of James Chester after making their move for the Albion defender.
Boss Roberto Di Matteo has identified the 27-year-old as a key target and the Baggies are understood to have accepted a bid for the Welsh international, who joined them from Hull City last summer in an £8million move.
Villa will now aim to pip Middlesbrough, who have also been in talks over the defender, to the deal.
Chester made just 12 league appearances for Albion last season and only one in his preferred position of centre-back.
Having lost Ciaran Clark to Newcastle, Di Matteo is eager to strengthen a backline which had its weaknesses once more exposed during Wednesday's 3-1 League Cup defeat at Luton Town.
Afterwards, the Italian acknowledged the need for more reinforcements.
"We know that we need some fresh faces and players that can bring a fresh impetus to us as well," he said.
Villa have so far signed Tommy Elphick, Aaron Tshibola, Pierluigi Gollini and Ross McCormack this summer, while a host of players have departed as Di Matteo looks to overhaul a squad relegated from the Premier League last season.
