Aston Villa eye Marseille star Kamara amid Gerrard's summer shake-up

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is finalising his plans for a summer shake-up at Villa Park.

The Villa boss was active in January bringing in Philippe Coutinho on loan and Lucas Digne, Calum Chambers, Robin Olsen and Kerr Smith.

Gerrard is considering buying Coutinho permanently this summer using Villa's £33million clause. But he is also targeting a whole new spine to his team with a new defender, central midfielder and striker on his list.

Brighton 's Yves Bissouma and Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips are ambitious midfield targets but Boubacar Kamara is also on their radar.

Villa are 11th in the Premier League table, a point and a place behind Crystal Palace, although they have a game in hand.

Villa defender linked with summer exit despite penning new deal

Aston Villa defender Kortney Hause is reportedly keen to leave the club this summer. The defender recently signed a new contract extension with Villa in January until 2025 but he has had little game time under Steven Gerrard this season.

Hause,26, has only made seven Premier League appearances for Villa this campaign, with just one start coming since Gerrard replaced Dean Smith in November. His only start came in the 2-1 defeat at Brentford back in January and has not played since Calum Chambers joined the club in the transfer window.

Now the Daily Mail claim that Hause, signed from Wolves in June 2019 after a successful loan, could look to leave the club this summer for a fresh start after a January transfer to Watford fell through.

Villa linked with move for holding midfielder

Aston Villa are being linked with a summer move for Marseille holding midfielder Boubacar Kamara, according to reports. The 22-year-old will become a free agent this summer as he is set to leave the French club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Villa, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid have all been touted as possible suitors for his signature and the latest reports claim that Villa boss Steven Gerrard wants to press ahead with the transfer. Gerrard travelled out to Marseille to watch Kamara alongside CEO Christian Purslow and Johan Lange last month as the midfielder impressed as his side beat Nantes 3-2 at the Stade Velodrome.

The Daily Mail claim that Villa are now in talks over a transfer and the club wants to wrap up the signing of the holding midfielder. Kamara has made 45 appearances this season and played a key part of Marseille's run to the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

Recalled Ezri Konsa assured he has place in Gerrard's plans

Villa boss Steven Gerrard recalled Ezri Konsa into his starting line at Burnley after insisting the defender has a future at the club. Konsa,24, has struggled for consistency this season and was dropped for the 2-0 win over Norwich in favour of January signing Calum Chambers.

But Gerrard recalled the former Brentford centre-back to the side for the 3-1 win at Burnley. Gerrard said: "He's a big part of this club and I don't think anyone needs to read any stories about Ezri except that he'll be here for pre-season, will reset and be ready to go."

Konsa's excellent performances last season led to calls for him to be included in the England squad and saw him rewarded with a new contract through to 2026.