Aston Villa Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of December 16

As Premier League clubs enter the ever-manic festive period, we'll see the men separated from the boys.

By the first week of January, we will have some idea of how the league table is likely to look come the end of May.

Of course, by the first week in January, the transfer window will be open and clubs will be looking to add to their squad for the run-up to the business end of the season.

With that in mind, here are the latest news and rumours surrounding potential Aston Villa transfers. 

Ashley Young in Sensational Villa Return

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Former Aston Villa winger Ashley Young could be in line for a shock move back to the club where he had previously spent four years, according to the Daily Mail.

The England international joined Villa in 2007, having moved from Watford, and quickly became one of Villa's star players.

Having helped the Claret and Blues to three successive European spots as well as a place in the League Cup final—which they lost to United—Young quickly gained many plaudits and was reportedly a target for a number of top European clubs.

Liverpool were interested in the winger, though it was the Red Devils that managed to secure his signature in a deal worth around £20 million.

Young was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, but has since failed to prove his Premier League credentials to current United boss David Moyes, and has watched from the sidelines for the majority of this season.

As the Daily Mail's Rob Shepherd writes, Young will be keen on earning a regular starting berth, though Villa could be the ones to snap him up should that fail to materialise.

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There is a still a remote chance the 28-year-old, who has won 30 caps and scored seven goals, could force his way back into contention for a place in the World Cup squad, not least given his versatility as a winger or second striker.

But that could only happen if he was to start playing on a regular basis and that doesn’t look likely to happen at United.

At a fee in the region of £8m, Young would represent a good buy and Villa are likely to lead the way.

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Villa Linked with Aiden McGeady Again

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According to FourFourTwo, Aston Villa are keeping an eye on Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady.

The winger joined Russian side Spartak Moscow in August 2010 from Celtic in what was a somewhat surprise move, but his contract expires in the summer and he is reportedly interested in a move to the Premier League.

As reported by FourFourTwo, Spartak sporting director Roman Askhabadze has revealed that McGeady would not be renewing his deal with the Russian side and will leave during the summer.

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Everything is OK with McGeady and he has gone back to Britain with his family (during the Russian League's winter break).

His contract runs out in the summer, he was offered a contract extension by us, but he has refused that. He did that for family reasons as his wife and children could not adapt to Moscow.

Over the winter, if we get an offer which suits Spartak, then McGeady will go.

But if a suitable offer does not come in, he will be with us until the end of his contract.

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Villa have been linked with the 27-year-old during what seems like every transfer window over recent years, but the speculation proved to be just that.

Reports suggest that Villa are one of a number of clubs interested in the Irish international, with Hull City and Everton keeping a close eye on the situation.

McGeady has a wealth of international experience—having played for Spartak in the Champions League—and could provide a different element to Villa's attacking intent.

The Claret and Blues currently operate with two wide men supporting Christian Benteke up front, though the two that feature on the wing were originally strikers. If Villa were to tie up the deal, having an out-and-out winger on the pitch can only help their cause. 

Shay Given Attracting Premier League Attention

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Shay Given, who is currently on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, is reportedly attracting attention from teams in England's top flight.

The former Republic of Ireland international expressed a desire to leave Villa in January after seeing his chances of first-team football diminish thanks to the outstanding form of No. 1 Brad Guzan as well as the summer acquisition of Jed Steer.

Given has impressed so far during his time at the Riverside—keeping a clean sheet on his debut—and is reportedly wanted by the Championship outfit for the remainder of the season.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has admitted that he will be enquiring as to whether the 37-year-old would be available for an extended period.

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We will be having discussions with Aston Villa. It depends on what Shay wants, and on what Aston Villa want to do, but I would like to have him here for the whole of the season.

That would be my choice, but it is not just up to me.

Jason Steele is not training at this moment. He has an injury problem with his ankle, and the doctors are working with him. I think it is a long-term thing, but the doctors are working hard to try to make sure that Jason can be back with us as soon as possible.

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However, Premier League outfit Swansea City are reportedly interested in taking the keeper off Villa's hands, according to Sky Sports.

The Welsh side have a minor goalkeeping crisis with first-choice custodian Michel Vorm requiring surgery, which leaves them with just one back-up goalkeeper—the relatively inexperienced, despite his age, Gerhard Tremmel.