Aston Villa have launched a bid to sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis, according to The Athletic. With first-team starter Ezri Konsa closing in on a move to Premier League champions Arsenal, Unai Emery's side have been forced to look for replacements. The Europa League holders have reportedly tabled a bid worth £18million for the Southampton defender. However, the outlet states that the 24-year-old is one of three potential defensive options to replace the England international. Villa appear to face competition for the Saints captain's signature with Benfica seeing their £17m offer rejected. Harwood-Bellis plies his trade in the Championship after the South Coast club were expelled from the playoffs for their role in the Spygate scandal. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 4th in Premier League, 55 pts, 16W-7D-9L from 32 games, recent form DWLLL. The former Manchester City academy prospect made the move to St Mary's in 2023 before completing a permanent switch in 2024 for around £20m. At 24, Harwood-Bellis is an experienced defender having made 155 appearances in the Championship across stints with Blackburn, Stoke City, Burnley and Southampton, including earning promotion out of the second-tier in 2024. He made 34 appearances during their ill-fated season in the top-flight during a chastening return to the Premier League. Harwood-Bellis has two years left on his current contract and a report from the Daily Echo claimed that the club would 'find it difficult' to turn down a significant offer that matches their valuation. Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert faced questions over his star stopper last week. As quoted by the Daily Echo, he said: