Aston Villa transfer news and rumours: Updates on Lansbury, Schlupp, Rhodes and Cairney, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy setback
A look at all the latest claret and blue stories doing the rounds
Steve Wollaston
Aston Villa striker Rushian Hepburn-Murphy suffers 'minor setback'
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy was forced off with an injury during Aston Villa's development squad 4-3 defeat against Norwich City in the Premier League International Cup on Thursday evening.
Hepburn-Murphy started the match at Carrow Road but he limped off in the opening stages to be replaced by Joe Linley. Villa goals came from Jerell Sellars and two from Keinan Davis but Norwich rallied late to claim victory in the pulsating encounter.
18-year-old Hepburn-Murphy has now posted on social media about his injury, revealing: 'Minor set back'.
Henri Lansbury - the truth according to Steve McClaren
Derby County manager Steve McClaren has indicated that he has not given up hope of signing Henri Lansbury.
Aston Villa are the heavy favourites to land the 26-year-old midfielder after submitting a bid in excess of £3m, along with wages of more than £40,000-a-week.
Forest are yet to respond to the bid and McClaren does not think any decision will be made on his future until the takeover of the City Ground club, by an American consortium, has been completed.
He also believes that a controversial switch for Lansbury to Pride Park isn't completely out of the question.
Full story below...
Aston Villa transfer news: Henri Lansbury - the truth according to Steve McClaren
Norwich City U23s 4 Aston Villa U23s 3: Keinan Davis nets twice but Villa lose thriller in Premier League International Cup
Aston Villa under-23s exited the Premier League International Cup for the season after a dramatic 4-3 defeat against Norwich City at Carrow Road on Thursday evening.
The young Lions went into the match knowing that they had to win by five goals to reach the knockout stages but they ended up on the losing side during a pulsating encounter against a strong Canaries team.
Report below...
Tony Xia says Aston Villa want four more players - here's our transfer suggestions
Aston Villa owner Tony Xia has revealed that the club are trying to bring in up to four more players before the transfer deadline.
Villa have already snapped up Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone on loan and boss Steve Bruce is keen to further strengthen the squad for a crack at the Championship play-offs.
We asked our writers which FOUR (realistic) targets they would sign if they were in control of the claret and blues chequebook.
Here's the names they came up with...
Aston Villa rookie Keinan Davis has this message for supporters
Keinan Davis has thanked the Aston Villa fans for helping him step up to the first team fold.
Davis made his senior debut as a 77th minute substitute for Gabby Agbonlahor in Sunday's FA Cup third round defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
It was the latest step in a remarkable journey for Davis who, until recently, was playing for non league club Biggleswade Town.
The 18-year-old striker, who was released by Stevenage as a youngster, paid tribute to the claret and blue faithful for their well wishes on social media.
Read his message below
No Rhodes bids
Middlesbrough have not received any bids for in-demand forward Jordan Rhodes.
Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday are the two clubs who have been most strongly linked with the 26-year-old during the transfer window, but this saga looks set to rumble on until the end of the window.
But Boro boss Aitor Karanka confirmed that club are yet to receive a bid for the striker at his press conference today.
Rhodes' price is thought to be the sticking point in a potential deal. Championship clubs would be flocking to capture a player who has managed 91 goals in 179 appearances in the second tier was it not for his price tag.
Boro are demanding a similar fee to the one they paid Blackburn Rovers for his services 12 months ago and, as of yet, nobody has been able to match it.
Steve Bruce set to miss out on Jeffrey Schlupp
Aston Villa are set to miss out on Leicester City winger Jeffrey Schlupp with the winger in advanced talks with Crystal Palace over a move to Selhurst Park.
The Birmingham Mail understands that Villa, Palace and West Brom are the teams keen on taking the wantaway winger but it now appears Sam Allardyce's side have jumped to the front of the queue.
The 24-year-old Ghanaian has fallen further down the pecking order with the Premier League champions this season and wants first team football.
It is our understanding that Schlupp wasn't totally against dropping down to the Championship in search of regular football - but that now looks unlikely with Palace primed to snap him up.
Palace are set to meet the Foxes' £12million asking price.
Aston Villa and Henri Lansbury - the latest
Aston Villa waiting for news of Nottingham Forest's Henri Lansbury signing will have to wait a little longer.
Officials have told us that the deal is not going to happen today as the two clubs remain locked in negotiations over the talented 26-year-old playmaker.
Contrary to reports doing the rounds last night, Lansbury has not been at Bodymoor Heath undergoing a medical and the deal remains unlikely to go through before Nottingham Forest's takeover is confirmed.
American tycoon John Jay Moores is close to completing a deal to buy the East Midlands side from Fawaz Al-Hasawi.
The Birmingham Mail reported of a potential stumbling block in the deal to Villa Park in the form of former Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett.
Rowett is expected to be appointed Forest boss in place of Philippe Montanier and is a huge fan of Lansbury. There are fears that he might pull the plug on the deal and allow the player to leave on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract in the summer.
Villa have bid £3million for the former Arsenal midfielder and are reportedly ready to offer him a £40,000 a week contract.
Steve Bruce ready to battle Newcastle United for Tom Cairney
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has set his sights on Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney, according to our sister paper The Mirror .
Bruce has money to spend this January and might use a chunk of it on Cairney, who was sold to Blackburn Rovers by Bruce when Villa's boss was manager of Hull City.
Cairney, known for his classy left-foot and creativity, is a key man at Craven Cottage and Fulham wouldn't be wiling to part with him without a fight.
Bruce is known to be seeking midfield reinforcements and has a bid in place for Nottingham Forest captain Henri Lansbury, believed to be around £3million.
Aston Villa transfer news and rumours LIVE!
Newcastle United are also said to be keen to land Cairney, who will have plenty of admirers.
Cairney has scored five times in 25 appearances this season.
Cairney lowdown below...
Aston Villa transfers: Here's what we know about Tom Cairney
No Benteke move planned
Aston Villa hero Christian Benteke will not be allowed to leave Crystal Palace this month, Sam Allardyce has confirmed.
Reports were circling on Tuesday evening that Benteke would be sacrificed by Crystal Palace in order to fund Allardyce's transfer window plans.
The Belgian has interest from China, but Allardyce insists he won't be leaving Selhurst Park.
"Unless the chairman knows any different from me, Christian Benteke is not for sale. I think he'll be available for this weekend," he said at his press conference this morning.
"I'm planning on him being here at the end of this window. He's scored eight already and he's got a big part to play.
"Strengthening attack is not my priority. Keeping clean sheets is a priority for me, it's imperative we stop letting goals in."
Thank you, Graham Taylor: An Aston Villa fan's emotional tribute
Watch Jonathan Kodjia show Aston Villa what they're missing
Aston Villa are already feeling the effects of Jonathan Kodjia's departure this month.
The nine-goal top scorer is out in Africa preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations with his native Ivory Coast.
The striker was in action against Uganda yesterday and low and behold, he scored.
Kodjia was an unused substitute in the Elephants' 2-1 win over Sweden on Sunday but started and opened the scoring in yesterday's 3-0 defeat of Uganda.
Stewart Downing's situation - Middlesbrough expert
Former Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing will be allowed to leave Middlesbrough on loan this transfer window.
The Birmingham Mail understands a tentative enquiry was made to Boro regarding the player, but it was thought that he wouldn't be available.
Downing's situation certainly came as a shock to all concerned. Our colleague at the Teesside Gazette, Dom Shaw, sheds some light on the 32-year-old's situation.
Read what he had to say below...
Aston Villa transfers: Stewart Downing's situation - Middlesbrough expert
Aston Villa have sold out of their allocation for the match with Nottingham Forest and it took them just 16 hours to do so.
The club were given 2,002 tickets for the clash with Forest on Saturday 4 February.
The East Midlands outfit are expected to be bought by American tycoon John Jay Moores very soon and he is expected to appoint former Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett as his manager, replacing Philippe Montanier.
Rowett's involvement is sure to add a little bit of spice to the fixture, as will Henri Lansbury's possible transfer.
'Let Henri Lansbury him go' - Nottingham Forest legend
Villa are hoping to seal the deal for Nottingham Forest's captain this window and the player is keen to move.
The club are hoping that Lansbury will form part of a new look midfield alongside Mile Jedinak.
Villa transfer news
Big Sam on Benteke
Stewart Downing's situation
Gary Rowett
Tony Xia
Villa Park Stadium
Aston Villa FA Cup
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