Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa have now been deemed favourites to complete a deal for 34-year-old midfielder Joey Barton after Newcastle confirmed they will not be interested in taking him back to St James' Park
Barton only signed his two-year deal at Rangers back in May but has left Glasgow after just five Scottish Premiership appearances.
An integral member of Sean Dyche’s Burnley squad that achieved promotion to the Premier League last term, there is no doubting that Barton boasts the experience and quality to assist a strong second half of the season for Aston Villa.
Unbeaten in his first five Championship games in charge, Steve Bruce has steadied the ship at Villa Park following Roberto Di Matteo’s forgettable spell.