According to reports in The Telegraph, Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has been told that he will need to sell before he can bring in new players this summer as the Football League clamps down on spending.

Bruce held talks with director of football Steve Round and chief executive Keith Wyness on Thursday and was told that he can only bring in new additions on loan as he looks to secure a return to the Premier League.

The Midlands outfit endured a tough debut campaign in the Championship with the side finishing in 13th position, and the former Hull City boss was said to have wanted to bring in five new players in order to strengthen his squad with recent arrivals such as Ross McCormack and Aaron Tshibola failing to impress.

However, he may have to reassess those plans and instead look to the loan market.

Here are five Premier League players Villa could sign on a temporary basis this summer…

Aaron Mooy

After signing for Manchester City from Melbourne City last summer, the Australia international was sent out on loan to Championship outfit Huddersfield Town, where he has made a huge impression.

The 26-year-old midfielder scored four goals and provided a further seven assists from the middle of the park to help the Terriers secure a play-off spot, and his performances were one of the reasons David Wagner’s side did so well this season.

Whether the Yorkshire outfit go up or not, his future will be uncertain and Steve Bruce will know that he can certainly add something to his team after making such an impact in his first year in England.

Tammy Abraham

The 19-year-old striker will be one of the most in demand players among Championship sides if he chooses to go out on loan following a brilliant season with Bristol City.

Abraham moved to Ashton Gate on loan from Chelsea last summer and went on to score an incredible 26 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions for the Robins.

With the ability to score any type of goal and after such a prolific campaign, Bruce would love to bring him to Villa Park if the attacker isn’t to get an opportunity under Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge, but he will have a lot of rivals for the marksman’s signature.

Sam Gallagher

Following a successful loan spell with Blackburn Rovers this season despite the club’s relegation to League One, the 21-year-old has shown that he can be a consistent scorer at this level.

11 goals in 42 appearances for a team that has struggled throughout the campaign is no mean feat, but it might not be enough to convince parent club Southampton that he has a future at St Mary’s with just a year left to run on his contract.

Steve Bruce would surely be interested in bringing the striker to Villa Park on loan with a view to signing him permanently next summer, and he would certainly provide some much-needed competition for top goalscorer Jonathan Kodjia.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

While Mile Jedinak was one of Villa’s standout players during a disappointing campaign, the Australian – who will be 33 in August – is getting no younger and Bruce may be looking to bring some fresh legs into the defensive midfield position this summer.

One option would be to sign Maitland-Niles on a loan deal, with the 19-year-old impressing in a holding position in a number of appearances for Arsenal this season.

Having already enjoyed a similar spell with Championship rivals Ipswich Town, Arsene Wenger may be willing to loan him out in order to gain more experience next term and he would certainly be a solid addition for the promotion-chasing Villans.

Kevin Stewart

Similarly to Maitland-Niles, Stewart is a defensively-minded midfield player but he could leave Liverpool on a loan deal this summer in order to gain more regular playing time.

The 23-year-old would certainly some of the pressure off of Mile Jedinak in the middle of the park, with Villa failing to win any of their matches this season when the Australian was absent from the starting line-up.

A tenacious player who loves a tackle, the Reds star can also cover any position across the backline and that will be an attractive attribute for Bruce as he looks to strengthen his squad for a promotion push next term.

Do you agree, Villa fans? Let us know below.