Aston Villa's hunt for a central-midfielder continues with plenty of Championship clubs hoping their star man is not the one who is poached.

David Anderson reported on Thursday that an £11million bid had been submitted for Leeds' Kalvin Phillips but it is expected to be rejected and Dean Smith is now turning his attentions to possible alternatives and a reunion with Stoke's Ryan Woods, according to the Mirror.

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.

However, the Villa Park faithful are unsure on this new approach...