Birmingham Mail: Brett Holman is eager to play as a second striker 'in the hole' as Paul Lambert's starting line-up begins to take shape ahead of the Premier League season. The Australian international has been used regularly during for claret and blues' friendlies so far, most often as a wide midfielder cutting in from the left flank.

Birmingham Mail: Ciaran Clark claims there is a "massive difference" in the mood of the Villa dressing room compared to a year ago, with the players relishing training. Clark reckons Paul Lambert has cranked up the intensity of the sessions from the previous regime in readiness for the new Premier League campaign.

The Sun: Aston Villa have offered a three-year deal to the Mr Clean of Italian football. Defender Simone Farina exposed a match-fixing scandal when he reported a bent former team-mate to cops.

Goal.com: Aston Villa are preparing to make a fresh approach for Tottenham defender Kyle Naughton to replace Stoke target Alan Hutton. Villa made enquiries for Naughton at the start of the summer as new manager Paul Lambert looks to re-unite with the 23-year-old following his season-long loan spell at Norwich last term.

Best Of The Rest

Mirror: Sir Alex Ferguson has been warned it will take an "unbelievable" offer to persuade Arsenal to sell Robin van Persie to him. Gunners manager Arsene Wenger will not sell for less than £20m - and will demand a premium fee of more than £25m from Fergie and Manchester United because Arsenal do not want to do business with a direct Premier League rival.

The Sun: Joe Allen will be a Kop idol after Liverpool triggered his release clause at Swansea. The Reds hit the £15million magic figure that lets the midfield ace quit.

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