Aston Villa ready to move for Newcastle United target as Trippier role in Magpies deal revealed

Aston Villa are reportedly set to make a move for Newcastle United transfer target Tyler Adams.

The Magpies were said to have shown an interest in the United States international following Leeds United’s relegation from the Premier League and there have been reports Adams has a release clause in his contract allowing him to leave Elland Road for a fee of around £25million.

The signing of AC Milan star Sandro Tonali and the positive pre-season form of academy graduates Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley means Eddie Howe is well-stocked for options in midfield and a move for Adams now seems unlikely. However, Villa manager Unai Emery is believed to be an admirer of Adams and is keen to add the combative midfielder to an impressive summer of transfer business that has seen the likes of Youri Tielemans, Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres move to Villa Park.

Should Adams complete a move he could make his debut for his new side in their Premier League opener at Newcastle on Saturday week and that would see the former RB Leipzig star return to St James Park for the first time since he praised the Magpies home earlier in the summer.

Speaking to the New York Red Bulls Podcast, he said: “Newcastle was bumping this year. They’re doing things the right way and I think they have the recognition now of ‘our team is good and Champions League is in our sights.’

“They came out and there was a full display. The fans were crazy - that was probably the loudest. It’s never ending, you look up and it’s just black. The fans keep going and you’re staring into an abyss.”

Trippier played role in Ashby loan move

Swansea City manager Michael Duff has revealed he received a ‘positive’ character reference from Kieran Trippier before making a move for Magpies team-mate Harrison Ashby.

There are hopes the United full-back will be registered in time to make his Swans debut in Saturday’s Championship opener against Birmingham City as Ashby looks to take the next step in his development with Duff’s side. The Swans boss revealed he had initially shown an interest in the former West Ham United defender during his time in charge at Barnsley and explained what feedback he received from the man Ashby is hoping to succeed on the right-hand side of the Magpies defence.

He said: “I spoke to Kieran Trippier about him, because I know Tripps really well. He was really positive in terms of his character reference.

“He has been in for a couple of days and we think he’s a good player – a powerful player, who does both parts of the game well. He can get in the top third and deliver crosses, but he’s also a good defender which is first and foremost the most important thing. He’s a good player who has come through at West Ham and then Newcastle. I think he got a bit frustrated at West Ham because they wouldn’t let him out on loan, but he didn’t get enough game time.”