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Tim Sherwood is targeting English players to top up his squad after admitting that he is unlikely to dip into the foreign market again this summer.

The Villa boss has tracked a number of homegrown stars in recent months but was forced to look abroad in order to get better value for money.

Idrissa Gueye, Jordan Amavi, Jordan Ayew and Jordan Veretout all arrived from Ligue One while Jose Angel Crespo checked in from Spain.

But if Sherwood decides that he needs further reinforcements before the close of the transfer window he will look closer to home to help balance the squad.

“Having English players (in the team) is crucial because we’re playing in a British league,” he said.

“That core of players is unbelievably important.

“I would say, if anyone was to become available now, they probably would be coming from the English market.

“No-one’s given an opportunity to English players more than me.

“I’ve looked around and we’ve tried to see who is the best value and who we can buy in the category we are looking for. A lot of the French boys tick the box. The English players were far too expensive.

“That’s not to say we’re not looking for English players.

“We’re looking for anything that can improve us. But at the moment how the market is, these French players are the ones who were value for money.

“They’ve got that level of experience at a very young age of playing competitive football.”

Sherwood is still interested in Tottenham’s Andros Townsend but it’s thought he’s not so keen on his team-mate Aaron Lennon.

The 46-year-old rates both Tom Carroll and youngster Josh Onomah but already there are five midfielders competing for places.

Villa may go back in for Albion’s Joleon Lescott but they will face stern resistance from the Baggies while Manchester United’s James Wilson is a loan option likely to be explored later this month.

As well as losing Fabian Delph and Tom Cleverley from the homegrown contingent this summer, the likes of Danny Ings, Joe Gomez, Tyrone Mings, Kieran Trippier, and Ben Gladwin all slipped through their grasp while Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton penned a new deal at Turf Moor.

In Saturday’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth Sherwood handed debuts to all four Ligue One arrivals as well as ex-Blackburn Rovers man Rudy Gestede.

The English players to start were captain Micah Richards, Gabby Agbonlahor, Ashley Westwood and Scott Sinclair.