Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar's first team place is under threat from new signing Jores Okore.
The Daily Mail says Vlaar faces competition from young Denmark international Okore, a £4m summer capture from Nordsjaelland, who has impressed during Villa's warm-up matches, despite his preparation being hampered by injury.
It is unlikely that Vlaar will be given the nod ahead of England Under-21 defender Nathan Baker, who has been the outstanding performer so far during the club's build-up to the new Premier League campaign.
