Aston Villa have reportedly sent scouts out to Portugal over the last week to overlook the progress of potential targets from the Primeira Liga, as scouts from the club were said to be in attendance of Benfica’s comprehensive 6-0 battering of Maritimo. The Daily Mail report.

As Remi Garde looks to freshen up his Villa side ahead of their monumental task of surviving in the Premier League this season, it has been rumoured that he is eyeing moves for Benfica’s young duo Goncalo Guedes and Renato Sanches.

Both players are under-21’s at the club but have featured on numerous occasions in Benfica’s highly prestigious first team; leading to a number of potential suitors pondering a move for either Guedes or Sanches.

Guedes has made 13 appearances for Benfica’s senior team, scoring an impressive three goals already at such a young age. As well as this, the 19-year-old has made two appearances for Portugal.

Sanches, however, has only broken into the Portuguese giants’ first-team this season, but has scored two goals from midfield in his eight appearances.

Manchester United representatives were also in attendance for Benfica’s rout of Maritimo, so Villa will have to move fast if they are to secure one of these promising talents.