Villa flop talking to Potters.
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Stoke City manager Mark Hughes is hoping to be reunited with his former star pupil Stephen Ireland as he has entered talks with the player in a bid to take him on loan for the season, Sky Sports reports.
The Aston Villa midfielder has been told by Paul Lambert that he is surplus to requirements at the club this season after commanding a high wage packet and failing to make a meaningful impact at the club since joining in 2010 as part of the deal that sent James Milner to Manchester City.
The former Republic of Ireland international has been forced to train with the club’s youngsters with his last appearance for Villa coming way back in January.
Hughes is keen to bring him to the Britannia Stadium in a bid to help reignite his career after seeing him sit on the sidelines in recent years after the pair worked together at Manchester City.
Ireland is also thought to be keen on making a swift exit from Villa Park and would apparently relish the chance to link up with the Welshman once again.
Ireland has made just 57 appearances for Villa in three years at the club, scoring just once in the club’s 3-1 victory over Chelsea in the 2011-12 season.