Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he is "inviting players like" Brighton's Yves Bissouma to Villa Park.

Bissouma has been in superb form for the Seagulls this season, boasting some good numbers for dribbling when compared to the rest of Graham Potter's squad (via WhoScored), and is now being linked with an Amex exit.

According to The Times, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have all looked at the player, while there is also said to be interest coming from France.

Hendrie, however, would love it if Dean Smith could lure the 24-year-old midfielder to his old club.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about Bissouma, the ex-Villa player said:

"I did a chat with myself and Paul Merson on Soccer Saturday a few weeks ago talking about Bissouma, and we highlighted what he actually does. I mean, his stats are absolutely phenomenal, the way he breaks the game up, his forward play.

"He's got a good football brain. Like I said, when you've got someone who breaks the game up so well and can go join in and play, I'm inviting players like that to the football club."

Villa look in danger of losing one of their midfielders in Douglas Luiz, with Manchester City weighing up whether to trigger a buy-back clause, so Smith may find himself needing to dip into the market to sign a new man for the middle of the park.