Veteran centre-back Chris Samba is still in training with Aston Villa and manager Steve Bruce also remains willing to offer him a contract despite signing John Terry, according to the Birmingham Mail.
The 33-year-old free agent spent the end of the last campaign at Bodymoor Heath and featured for the club’s Under-23s in an attempt to build up his fitness and impress boss Bruce.
It is now said he is continuing his training with the Midlands giants and is currently out in Portugal with the rest of the squad.
The club are well-stocked in the centre-back position following the signing of fellow veteran and former Chelsea star Terry with each of Nathan Baker, Tommy Elphick and James Chester in the squad.
But, Bruce is also said to still be willing to offer Samba a deal as he prepares to build a squad ready to win promotion back to the Premier League.
Former Blackburn star Samba has been a free agent since leaving Greek giants Panathinaikos in January 2017 by mutual consent after an injury plagued first five months at the club.
However, the Congo international’s overall record does read much better and he has previously proven his ability to play in the Premier League for both Blackburn and QPR with 171 appearances in England’s top-flight.