A surprise Premier League club could make a late move for Raheem Sterling following his latest Chelsea snub.
Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City two years ago in a £47.5 million deal, but his days at Stamford Bridge appear to be numbered.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca left the 29-year-old out of his squad for Chelsea's 2-0 defeat to City on Sunday, prompting Sterling's representatives to publicly ask for clarification on the player's situation.
After Sterling was omitted from Chelsea's squad for their upcoming UEFA Conference League play-off tie against Servette, Maresca admitted the England attacker has no place in his team.
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"They are training apart," Maresca explained when asked about Sterling and teammate Ben Chilwell.
"The situation with both of them is quite clear. We have a big squad and it's impossible to give all of them minutes. If they are looking for minutes it's better for them to leave.
"Brutal? I don't think so. I just try to be honest. I spoke with Raheem before the City game. I told him he is going to struggle to get minutes with us."
Chelsea are open to offers for Sterling, with Serie A giants Juventus reportedly interested in him.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Aston Villa have emerged as surprise contenders to secure Sterling's signature before transfer deadline day.
"Aston Villa are monitoring the situation. Now Villa have lost [Moussa] Diaby and they wanted Joao Felix," Jacobs told the London Is Blue Podcast.
Villa were keen on Felix but lost out to Chelsea, who on Wednesday confirmed his return to Stamford Bridge on a permanent deal worth £46.3m.
Diaby left Villa Park after one season, joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad in a £50m move.
While Chelsea have not yet received any offers for Sterling, Jacobs suggested that Villa could be in a good position to sign him, especially if he is willing to take a wage cut.
"If Sterling gets the right project projected to him then he would take a wage cut, so it's not a given that wages are going to stop Sterling from leaving," he said.
"Keep them [Villa] in the back of your mind, because Villa are going to be really busy in the closing days of the window."
Villa were seriously impressive under Unai Emery last season, finishing fourth in the table to secure a place in this season's Champions League.
Topics: Chelsea, Raheem Sterling, Aston Villa, Transfer News, Premier League, Enzo Maresca, Juventus, Football
Alex Brotherton