Steve Bruce and Aston Villa are expected to be active in the upcoming transfer window, as they look to put last season’s disappointing Sky Bet Championship campaign behind them and challenge for a return to the Premier League during the 2017/18 season.

Top of Bruce’s transfer list is Sam Johnstone, the goalkeeper who excelled at Villa Park during the second-half of last season, making 22 appearances and keeping eight clean sheets.

However, securing Johnstone’s service from Manchester United will not be easy, with Villa finding themselves at the bottom of a transfer chain, which could seriously affect a deal.

David De Gea’s future with Man United is uncertain, which is one way Johnstone’s move to Villa could be sabotaged, whilst Everton will reportedly move for the 24-year old if they fail in their attempts to sign Jordan Pickford this summer.

Should Villa miss out on signing Johnstone, Bruce will undoubtedly be looking for alternatives, and should turn to Brentford’s Daniel Bentley, who excelled in his debut Championship campaign.

Bentley joined Brentford last summer, and made 47 appearances for the Bees across all competitions, including 45 in the Championship, as Dean Smith’s side finished an impressive tenth in the table.

The 23-year old kept 13 clean sheets from his 45 appearances, and was influential for the Bees as they once again impressed in the Championship.

Brentford handed Bentley a four-year contract last summer, and should Villa move for him, it is highly unlikely that the 23-year old will come cheap, but if Bruce fails to sign Johnstone, he must be willing to pay substantial money to replace him, or risk being left behind again in the race for promotion.