Aston Villa are reportedly set to move for Stoke City midfielder Ryan Woods this summer if a deal for Kalvin Phillips fails to materialise, according to The Mirror (11/07, 12:54).

David Anderson reported on Thursday that an £11million bid had been submitted for Phillips but it is expected to be rejected and Dean Smith is now turning his attentions to alternatives.

Smith oversaw the sale of Woods to the Potters from Brentford last summer in a deal for just over £6.5million but does not appear to be a favourite of Nathan Jones.

He made 27 appearances in the Championship for them, even captaining them for six straight matches under Gary Rowett, but made just seven appearances under Jones.

It is not yet known whether or not Villa have been officially priced out of a move for Phillips, with Wolves and Bournemouth also joining the hunt according to The Mirror's report, but Smith has certainly started looking for alternatives.

Leeds have already seen both Pontus Jansson and Jack Clarke sold in the summer transfer window and they will be desperate to see Phillips stay at Elland Road.

The verdict

I think this could be a shrewd move from Smith.

Phillips should remain the priority and they should not give up on bringing him in just yet, but signing a player who was at his peak under Smith is a smart move.

Woods showed flashes of excellence last season and although it was not enough for people to sit up and consider him a Premier League talent, it will have perhaps been enough to convince Villa to give him a chance.