Sky Bet Championship side Aston Villa are among a host of clubs looking to sign Everton defender Ashley Williams in the summer, according to reports from The Sun.

The 34-year old signed for the Merseyside club from Swansea City in 2016, for a reported fee of £12million, but quickly fell out of favour at Goodison Park.

The Wales international was subsequently sent out on loan to Stoke City this season, where he has since made 27 league starts for the Potters in what has been a turbulent loan spell.

And, according to The Sun, Villa are set to rival Huddersfield Town in pursuit of Williams, whose contract at Goodison Park is set to expire at the end of the season.

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It is believed that MLS side DC United, where former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney currently plies his trade, are also interested in signing the central defender, who could be available on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.

Villa's defence was in tatters before the loan signings of Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause in January, but at the age of 34, Williams would be a different type of signing should they swoop for him in the summer.

Villa travel to Leeds United on Sunday afternoon, after winning 10 league games on the bounce.

The Verdict

This is a signing that Villa and Dean Smith should steer well clear of in the summer.

In my view, Williams has been very poor for Stoke this season, and at 34, he is hardly a long-term option.

He is likely to be on high wages, and although he may be good, experienced back-up, you have to feel that there are better options out there for Smith's side.