New Aston Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo is hoping to lure Costel Pantilimon from Watford this summer.

The Daily Mirror reports that Di Matteo is eager to make the Romanian goalkeeper his number one at Villa Park after he failed to force his way in at Vicarage Road.

Pantilimon, 29, joined the Hornets from Sunderland in January but played second fiddle to Heurelho Gomes and is believed to be pondering his future in Hertfordshire.

Incoming Villa manager Di Matteo sees the former Manchester City gloveman as the perfect replacement for the departing Brad Guzan but Pantilimon does not want to take a pay cut to drop down to the Championship with the relegated West Midlands outfit.