Report: Aston Villa to offer £6.5M for Everton's Steven Naismith

Aston Villa is set to join Norwich City in the race for Steven Naismith's signature, as Remi Garde looks to freshen up his bottom-placed team.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, Charles N'Zogbia, and Kieran Richardson could be among those offloaded by Villa in January, with the purposeful Naismith, who has fallen out of favour at Everton, hopefully moving the other way.

The Birmingham club is willing to part with £6.5 million for the Scottish forward with Norwich, which had an £8-million bid rejected in the summer, also expected to re-open its cheque book, according to the Telegraph's John Percy.

Sam Byram, the promising and versatile Leeds United youngster, is another who could be approached by Aston Villa in the summer.

"A football club like Aston Villa being relegated is very bad news. It's unbelievable for the fans and everyone who's followed the English league for many years," Garde said after his side drew 1-1 at Newcastle United on Saturday.

"But if it happens, then what? Everybody stops? It's done? No, you have to keep working and build again - a new start.

"Of course, it would be a huge disappointment but we are not yet there."

Aston Villa returns to Premier League action on Boxing Day with the visit of out-of-form West Ham.