Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Luton Town boss Rob Edwards discusses Ross Barkley’s future

Luton Town boss Rob Edwards has spoken about Ross Barkley’s future, as Aston Villa were made favourites to sign him this summer.

Barkley will still be under contract with the Hatters next season, but his future is unclear following their relegation from the Premier League. Villa are the bookies’ favourite to sign him, at 1/5 with SkyBet, ahead of Everton, Leicester City, Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

On the future of the midfielder, who has impressed for Luton since joining from Nice last summer, Edwards said: “We’ve had a chat. The fans showed their love for Ross, he’s adored by everyone here, we will see what happens. He’s contracted to the club and I expect to see him in pre-season.”

Edwards also made it clear Luton are under no pressure to sell any player despite relegation to the Championship. “We want to keep the majority of the group together to attack the league,” he added.

“We have no financial worries at all so we don’t have to sell anybody. It’s inevitable there will be change – that happens. It has to be right for us, first of all.”

Barkley had an injury-hit loan at Villa during the 2020/21 season, playing 24 games for the club in the Premier League and scoring three goals.