Aston Villa are ready to open talks with Wales international James Chester after agreeing a new £45,000-a-week deal with Jack Grealish.

Villa will now step up negotiations with Chester over an improved contract as beleaguered manager Steve Bruce moves to keep the core of his squad together.

Grealish has signed a five-year deal which will more than double his previous salary, as revealed by Telegraph Sport on Sunday.

The 23 year-old was a serious summer target for Tottenham Hotspur but Villa's new owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, held firm by insisting he was not for sale.

Christian Purslow, the club's chief executive, said: “Securing the long-term future of Jack, a player we believe will play a pivotal role in leading Aston Villa back to where it belongs, is fantastic news for everybody associated with our football club.