Report: Aston Villa interested in Newcastle United midfielder Jack Colback

Aston Villa have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Newcastle United midfielder Jack Colback.

The 27-year-old has been at St James' Park since a controversial switch from rivals Sunderland in 2014, making 102 appearances for the Magpies thus far.

However, he did not play in Newcastle's opening game of the Premier League season, a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, amid reports of a training ground bust-up with boss Rafael Benitez.

According to the Birmingham Mail, Steve Bruce remains a big admirer of Colback, having handed him his Premier League debut at Sunderland in 2010.

Colback has two years remaining on his current Newcastle deal.