Aston Villa target Yves Bissouma is ‘more likely’ to join the club this summer than Kalvin Phillips, according to journalist Josh Holland.

The two midfielders are believed to be on Steven Gerrard’s wish list for when the market reopens in a few months’ time as the Villa manager looks to add further reinforcements to his first-team squad.

What is the latest news involving Aston Villa?

Since securing their return to the Premier League for the beginning of 2019/20, the Midlands outfit have spent around £350 million on new signings.

However, Villa are currently sitting in 13^th position in the top-flight standings and only eight points above the relegation zone despite their sizeable investment.

More changes in the playing staff are expected to occur in the summer then, and a holding midfielder appears set to be a priority position for Gerrard, with Douglas Luiz edging towards the exit door.

According to Football Insider, the Brazil international is being lined up by Arsenal after entering the final 14 months of his current contract at Villa Park.

Gerrard admitted that Villa had an offer turned down for Bissouma by Brighton in January, while The Athletic claimed the Seagulls had placed a £50m price tag on their prized asset.

A recent report by The Times, though, stated that Villa are now leading the race to sign Leeds United star Phillips, who is yet to agree terms on a new contract.

What did Holland say about Bissouma?

Holland believes that the Mali international is a more realistic target than Phillips, though, as the Englishman is ‘Leeds through and through’.

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He told GiveMeSport: “I think them two players would do a perfect job. I think Bissouma is probably a more likely target, I'd say, just because Kalvin Phillips is Leeds through and through, and I think they're probably going to stay up now.

“I'd say Phillips is better than Bissouma, but Bissouma, I think, would be a better fit for this Villa side.”

Would Bissouma be a good signing?

Former Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie previously labelled Bissouma “phenomenal”, and his underlying numbers back that assessment up.

As per FBref, the tough-tackling ace has ranked in the 93^rd percentile for tackles, 92^nd for interceptions, 90^th for pass competition and 87^th for clearances amongst players in his position over the last year.

With 109 Premier League games under his belt too, Bissouma could well be the player Villa need to improve their engine room options.