According to reports in the Express and Star, Aston Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo wants to keep hold of Jordan Ayew but realises that the Ghanaian international is unlikely to stay.

Ayew was one of the few Villa players who impressed in the Premier League last season, and he is already reportedly attracting interest.

There are said to be a host of teams interested in signing the 24-year-old, and Villa realises that they may find it difficult to keep hold of the forward.

Ayew scored seven Premier League goals in the last campaign, and he would surely be a standout player at Championship level.

Di Matteo wants to keep Ayew, but he is planning for life without the rapid forward.

The Italian boss has made signing a new striker his top priority in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Villa currently have the likes of Rudy Gestede and Gabriel Agbonlahor available to them, who can both play up front, but neither of the pair impressed last season.