Ipswich keen to keep Aaron Cresswell after Villa interest

Ipswich boss Paul Jewell wants to keep defender Aaron Cresswell at the club despite reports that Aston Villa want to sign him.

Jewell admitted there had been an enquiry from the Premier League club about the 22-year-old's availability.

"The club have had contact, not through the manager, asking what his situation is," Jewell told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"The situation is that we want to keep him, we don't want to sell our best players."

He added: "We don't want to sell Cressy. We bought him, we developed him and I've told him that if we get an offer that we have to consider, then we'll consider it but we don't encourage any offers."

Jewell revealed that his assistant Chris Hutchings called Villa boss Paul Lambert on the telephone on Tuesday about a player Town are interested in, but Lambert had not spoken about Cresswell, who joined Ipswich from Tranmere 12 months ago and made 46 appearances last season.

"Chris spoke to Paul Lambert on Tuesday to ask about a player who used to play for a club that I used to manage and he never mentioned Aaron Cresswell, which I found strange," he said.

Meanwhile, Jewell refused to be drawn on reports that Ipswich are one of the clubs to have spoken to former England striker Emile Heskey, who is a free agent following his release by Villa at the end of last season.

"I've spoken to a number of players and agents over the summer and I don't hide the fact that we want another forward - and at least two other players in the squad.

"Sometimes conversations, whether it's with Emile Heskey or whether it's with someone else - until there's something definite, they'll always remain private," he added.

Ipswich continued their pre-season build-up with a 2-0 win over Cambridge United on Tuesday evening.

And midfielder Massimo Luongo, 19, made his debut after joining the club from Tottenham on a season-long loan.

"I thought Massimo was outstanding for us," Jewell told the club's website.

"He looks a good footballer. There is that touch of quality about him."