Aston Villa eyeing approach for George Boyd

Championship club Aston Villa have set their sights of signing George Boyd, who is out-of-contract following his Premier League stint with Burnley.

The 31-year-old had made 123 appearances for Burnley during a three-year spell including 33 starts in 38 top-flight outings last term.

In spite of this, the Scot snubbed a fresh one-year deal with the Clarets in order to prolong his career at a fresh club where he would be offered much better terms.

Promotion hopefuls Derby County have been recently credited with an interest in Boyd, but according to The Birmingham Mail, the Villains could lodge an approach for the versatile midfielder.

Boyd have celebrated successful promotions with both Hull City and Burnley in recent years, and Bruce is keen to integrate him into the squad, which finished 18 points off the play-off positions last season.

The west Midlands club had played the entirety of their football in the top division prior to their relegation in 2016, and Bruce will be keen to push the club into the playoff positions at the least - though with a limited budget on hand.