CARBONE TARGETED BY NAPOLI

Carbone is out of contract in the summer, and has not yet agreed an extension to his Villans deal - sparking rumours that he will depart from Villa Park at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old striker has scored nine times for Villa since his transfer from Sheffield Wednesday, including a brilliant hat-trick in the FA Cup against Leeds United, and will play a key role in the final for John Gregory's side against Chelsea.

However, reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that Napoli are keen to offer the diminutive striker a place in their team for next season, regardless of whether they are able to pull themselves out of the Italian second division.

Villa boss Gregory has already expressed his worry that the club have left their overtures to the Italian star too late - and it now appears that the chase to steal the skilful forward from the Premiership has started in earnest.