By Wayne Veysey

11th May, 2022 | 1:11pm

Sources: Aston Villa in advanced talks to sign Ewan Simpson

Aston Villa are in advanced talks to sign Hearts sensation Ewan Simpson, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

The Scotland youth international has attracted the interest of a number of clubs in England and Scotland ahead of the summer window.

A Villa source has now told Football Insider they are in pole position to seal a deal for Simpson, 15, after pushing ahead of rivals in the race.

Negotiations have taken place with Hearts and an agreement between the clubs for the midfielder is now close.

Further talks are planned this month that could result in the deal being agreed and Simpson joining Villa before the window formally opens.

The rising star has impressed for Hearts Under-18s as well as in the Scotland youth set-up and he is widely regarded as a potential star-in-the-making.

Villa have invested heavily in youth as well as first-team talent in recent years, most particularly following the takeover of Wes Edens and Naseef Sawiris in 2018.

Edens and Sawiris have sanctioned spending of more than £320m on transfers since promotion from the Championship in 2019.

It has been made clear Gerrard will be handed further “massive” funds to strengthen the first-team squad that has underperformed again this season.

Villa’s defeat to Liverpool at home on Tuesday night was their 18th Premier League defeat of the season and leaves them 11th in the table with three matches remaining.

In other news, Aston Villa have “hit the jackpot” amid “brilliant” striker claim.