Aston Villa boss Dean Smith admits sharing a joke with Ezri Konsa over transfer talk this week.

The defender has been linked with Tottenham and Liverpool.

"I will joke with him about it," said Smith.

"He's excelling in his position; he's been one of our best players this season, very consistent and reliable."

Meanwhile, Aston Villa will definitely be without Kortney Hause and Matty Cash for Sunday's match against Leicester.

Hause has an ankle problem while Cash is sidelined with a thigh injury.

There's more positive news about striker Wesley, however. The Brazilian has been out for more than a year with a serious knee injury but is back at the training ground after some further treatment.

Speaking about defender Cash, Smith said: “He will be a miss, on the whole he has been a very good acquisition for us.

“We certainly feel that we are capable of filling the void."