The Athletic's Gregg Evans has dropped an update on Aston Villa's plans for the rest of the summer transfer window.

What's the story?

Dean Smith's side have had an eventful window thus far, waving goodbye to captain Jack Grealish but welcoming the likes of Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings, among others, into the club.

Now, Evans has said that Villa's business might not be done just yet, and that there's one position they're intent on targeting to strengthen this summer.

He said: "Smith would still very much like to sign a defensive midfielder. With Douglas Luiz returning late from the Olympics and question marks over whether Marvelous Nakamba can take Villa onto the next level, the head coach is hoping for another player in before the deadline. A move for James Ward-Prowse looks unlikely, though, as Southampton aren’t interested in selling."

Good news for Villa fans

While the Midlands club have made some impressive improvements to their attacking options, bringing in a new dominant holding midfielder should be the priority heading into the final few weeks of the transfer window.

Villa's most natural option in that role at the moment is Marvelous Nakamba, and with reports recently claiming that Everton are interested in signing him, it paints a real picture of just why the club could do with a new starting player in that position.

None of Villa's midfield options managed more than 1.7 tackles or 1.3 interceptions per game, and having that effective screen presence in front of the back four could be the key to unlocking the best out of Villa's array of attacking talent.

Evans' update that Smith "would very much like to sign a defensive midfielder" should be music to the ears of Villa supporters, who could feel that the addition of an anchor man could be the final piece of their jigsaw heading into the new Premier League season.

Meanwhile, Villa must land this star who Messi rates highly...