Aston Villa will allow Joleon Lescott to leave on a free transfer, as Leeds United consider a move for the former England international.

Lescott has been told he can go by new manager Roberto Di Matteo and Villa are prepared to offload him for nothing in a bid to lower the wage bill.

A £1.5million signing from West Bromwich Albion last September, Lescott endured a miserable season as the club were relegated and was targeted by supporters.

The 33-year-old also attracted criticism for tweeting a photo of a Porsche after a 6-0 home defeat to Liverpool, later insisting it was an accident and sent from his phone while driving.

Di Matteo has held talks with Lescott and said he can leave if a club comes in for him and Leeds are weighing up whether to offer the defender a fresh start at Elland Road.

Villa have completed the £12million signing of Ross McCormack from Fulham and are also interested in Abel Hernandez, the Hull City striker.

Hernandez helped Hull reach the Premier League last season and Villa face a battle convincing him to drop down a division.