Andreas Weimann desperate for Ron Vlaar stay

Aston Villa midfielder Andreas Weimann is hopeful that the club can keep captain Ron Vlaar.

The Netherlands international is out of contract with the Villans in the summer, and will be permitted to negotiate with foreign clubs in January.

Liverpool are among those reportedly monitoring the 29-year-old centre-back, but Weimann is optimistic that his skipper will remain at Villa Park beyond the summer.

"Ron is our captain so everyone knows he's important so hopefully he'll stay. He's in the middle of our team and we hope he'll stay," he told BT Sport.

"He knows we all want him to stay and I'm sure the gaffer and everyone else will try and get him to stay."

Vlaar has started 10 games for Villa this season after missing a portion of the campaign through injury.