Aston Villa 'chasing Aron Gunnarsson'

Aston Villa are reportedly preparing a bid for Cardiff City midfielder Aron Gunnarsson.

The 27-year-old captained the Iceland squad that made it all the way through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 in France this summer and is being eyed by Villa as a back-up option if they fail to lure Mile Jedinak from Crystal Palace.

According to The Sun, Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo views Gunnarsson as "a player who can add steel to a fragile Villa side" as the Midlands outfit look to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Gunnarsson, who is currently valued at around £2.1m, moved to the Welsh capital from Coventry City in 2011 and has since gone on to make 198 appearances in all competitions.

Villa are also thought to be closing in on the loan capture of young Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford.