Luton Town boss Graeme Jones has admitted he is facing up to the reality of losing star defender James Justin this summer.
Villa reportedly made a £7.5m offer for Justin in recent days, with Leicester City also thought to be monitoring the teenager.
The highly-rated left-back has played a key role in the Hatters’ League One title-winning squad this season under both Nathan Jones and Mick Harford.
As a result of his impressive performances, the 19-year-old was nominated for the EFL Young Player of the Season award alongside Derby County’s Harry Wilson and Norwich City’s Max Aarons.
And talking to Luton Today, relayed in an article by HITC, Jones admitted it may well be hard to keep the defender with the club over the summer.
It would be silly of me to think, ‘I’ll cash in,’ I don’t want to cash in on anybody. But the reality is that with the season the boys have had, that might be the case.
I hope not, but I need to be ready for every eventuality.
If Justin completes a move to Villa Park, the teenager would rival current left-back Neil Taylor for the starting position under Dean Smith next season.
