Aston Villa to let Stephen Ireland go

Aston Villa will allow midfielder Stephen Ireland to leave the club this summer, according to reports.

The 25-year-old, who moved to Villa Park from Manchester City for a fee of £8m pounds in 2010, made 28 appearances for the Midlands club last season.

However, new Villa manager Paul Lambert is keen to make severe changes to his squad and will accept offers of £4m for Ireland, according to The Mirror.

Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner has promised Lambert that he will be given money to spend in the transfer market this summer.