Dwight Gayle scored just seven goals for Palace last season

Italian Di Matteo is tasked with hauling Villa back into the Premier League at the first attempt after they were relegated to the Championship last season.

The former Chelsea and West Brom boss is yet to secure any deals as new owner Dr Tony Xia prepares to pump money into the club.

But the Birmingham Mail claim Villa could be about to move for Gayle as Crystal Palace consider offloading the forward.