Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal will all be on red alert for the £4 mil rated versatile player.  Scimeca started the season as a striker with Yorke sold and Collymore injured, and whilst he was playing at the front, Barry, Southgate and Co were forging a brilliant partnership at the back.

Scimeca is regarded as one of the clubs outstanding home grown talents, however the England U21 and 'B' team star feels uneasy at being used as a bit part player on an irregular basis.

He said: "I feel as if my career is going backwards and I need to do something about it. I love Villa and always have -
but I am not prepared to settle for just playing bit-part roles. 

"Other players may be happy to do that but I am not. I have not been able to get a run in what I would regard as my specialist position in the centre of defence where I have played for England Under 21s and England B. 

"It's very frustrating and the manager knows that while I remain here I will give
total commitment to the cause. The last thing I would want to do is disrupt this season so far," 

Manager John Gregory said "If someone comes up with the right amount of money I will not stand in his way. I've said 
before - all these players have looked after me and I intend to look after them. But I will not give him away. 

"But this development does not worry me. Keeping them happy is not really my problem. Their job is to keep me happy and they are all paid a handsome salary to do so."