The Athletic's Gregg Evans has revealed that Aston Villa striker Wesley will be leaving the club on loan in this summer transfer window.

What's the story?

The Brazilian missed Dean Smith's side's 6-0 thrashing of Barrow in the Carabao Cup second round, and it now appears that he missed the game due to an imminent move away.

And now, in a tweet posted after Villa's victory over the League Two side, Evans revealed that the striker will now be heading back to Belgium to join Club Bruges on a season-long loan.

Villa fans will be worried

While Danny Ings' arrival certainly puts Wesley down the pecking order at Villa Park, it's a bit of a questionable decision from Smith to let the Brazilian go this summer, even on a temporary basis.

Ollie Watkins was a man of steel last season in the Premier League, only missing the one match all campaign, but whether that level of fitness can hold up for a second successive campaign remains to be seen.

Add to that the fact Ings missed several games last season for Southampton with a knee injury, and of course has ruptured his ACL previously, and Villa could be left really short up front if they suffer some misfortune.

Standing at 6 foot 3, and with a real aerial presence, he offers something completely different to the hard running and movement of Watkins, and gives Villa a different dimension either to come off the bench or even to start when Smith wants to rest his main striker.

With Keinan Davis also already gone out on loan, Smith is certainly taking a gamble by letting another one of his squad options go before deadline day closes.

Villa fans may be very worried if Wesley departs, and the club suffer some injury problems - especially considering Watkins has already missed some game-time already this campaign.

Meanwhile, Villa are plotting a late swoop for this star...