Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has demanded the club to sign "top players" this summer, claims journalist Pete O'Rourke.

The 41-year-old will be looking to strengthen his squad in the upcoming transfer window, and it looks like he will only settle for the best.

What is the latest transfer news involving Villa?

In terms of one high-profile signing Villa could make in the coming months, Joe Gomez's name refuses to go away.

The Liverpool defender was linked with a January move to Villa Park, and Gerrard's interest does not seem to have disappeared.

According to the Daily Mirror, the Villans boss is still targeting Gomez as he looks to bolster his defence.

Further forward, there has also been talk in Spain about Gerrard wanting a reunion with his former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez, who is out of contract next month.

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What has O'Rourke said about Gerrard and Villa?

O'Rourke has told GIVEMESPORT that Gerrard expects Villa owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens to make a statement in the summer transfer window.

Speaking to GMS, the journalist said: "Steven Gerrard has demanded that Aston Villa go out there and go after the top players in the market. He really wants to make statement signings. He wants to improve this Aston Villa squad."

Will Sawiris and Edens deliver?

Villa have shown a lot of ambition under the Sawiris and Edens regime, so it would not be a surprise if the Midlands club have a very productive transfer window this summer.

It was only in January when they brought in Philippe Coutinho, who once cost £142m, from Barcelona on loan. The Brazilian, of course, has since gone on to join Villa permanently.

Reports have also suggested that the Premier League outfit are prepared to pay £60m for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, so it does not look like they are going to mess about when it comes to strengthening their squad.

It means Gerrard could end up spending a lot of money in his first summer transfer window, but if the club's ambition is to break into the top six, then splashing out on players like Phillips and potentially handing out big wages to Suarez is probably something they will have to do.

All in all, looking at some of the names Villa are being linked with, supporters could be in for an exciting summer. And while one summer window may not be enough to gatecrash the top six, Gerrard will certainly be hoping to at least see some progress being made next term.