Birmingham Mail: Brad Guzan could be a Villa player again by the time the club tour his native USA, with Paul Lambert and the goalkeeper keen to strike a new deal. The American international was released by the claret and blues at the end of last season after failing to sign the contract extension he was offered.

Birmingham Mail: Paul Lambert's German connections are already being put to good use with Villa rounding off their pre-season programme with a friendly at Werder Bremen. It will take place on Saturday, August 11 and replaces the game at Wolves, which has been cancelled because of the Molineux men's cup commitments.

The Sun: Paul Lambert is planning to bring £2.5million-rated Rennes schemer Yacine Brahimi to Aston Villa. The France Under-21 international hopes to leave after falling out of favour at the Ligue 1 club.

Daily Express: Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert will bring his former Norwich backroom staff Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa to Villa Park.

Daily Star: Norwich striker Grant Holt reckons he never really wanted to leave after signing a new three-year contract. Skipper Holt was linked with £6m moves to West Ham and Aston Villa after slapping in a transfer request when the Canaries refused to give him a long-term deal.

Sky Sports: Rennes midfielder Yacine Brahimi has admitted he is ready to quit the club after Aston Villa reportedly made a move for his services. The talented 22-year-old is a playmaker or winger, originally schooled at Clairefontaine before going through the youth system at Paris St Germain and Rennes.

*The extracts on this page are taken from various newspapers and media outlets. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Aston Villa.