Diamanti, 32, wants to leave Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande and has set his sights on the Premier League.
Villa are said to be battling Watford for the right to land the Italian playmaker, who appeared for West Ham between 2009 and 2010.
Manager Tim Sherwood is reportedly keen on the ace as he seeks to find replacements for the departures of key men Tom Cleverley, Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke.
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