Massimo Luongo (left) was part of the Swindon side that drew 5-5 with Sheffield United on Monday to reach the League One playoff final. Nick Potts / EMPICS Sport

Aston Villa are in advanced talks to sign Australia international Massimo Luongo from Swindon, sources have told ESPN FC.

Villa boss Tim Sherwood was present to watch the midfielder on Monday night as Swindon reached the League One playoff final with a 7-6 aggregate victory over Sheffield United.

Sherwood had worked with Luongo during his time in charge of Tottenham's academy and has retained a keen interest in the 22-year-old.

Luongo had joined Spurs in 2011 after a successful trial, but he struggled to break into the first-team, making just one senior appearance in a Carling Cup defeat at Stoke.

He was sent out on loan to Ipswich in July 2012 and then joined Swindon in March 2013 for the first of two loan spells at the County Ground before making the move permanent last summer.

Luongo has shone for club and country in the last 12 months, and his performances have alerted several Premier League clubs as well as sides around the world, with the player rejecting a big-money move to Qatar during the January transfer window.

The playmaker announced himself on the international stage in January as he inspired Australia to victory in the Asian Cup and in the process was named most valuable player of the tournament.

Swindon boss Mark Cooper had previously said Luongo could leave the club this summer as a result of the growing interest in his services.

"If it's time for him to move on, it's time for him to move on," Cooper said. "Massimo's obviously a very ambitious young man, he's been and played on the international stage and done very well, and he'll know there are eyes being cast over his play.

"He's got to keep playing and playing well to get the best move that he possibly can if he is going to go. I've got no problem with people being ambitious."

While Villa are confident of signing Luongo, there is also interest from Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers.

Sources have told ESPN FC that Swindon are holding out for a big fee for Luongo as Tottenham have a sell-on clause guaranteeing them 50 percent of any future transfer away from the County Ground.