Aston Villa could seal transfer for Matthijs de Ligt alternative

Burnley defender Nathan Collins has been told he has the potential to become "an all-time great", amid recent links with a move to Aston Villa.

The 21-year-old has a growing reputation following his performances for Burnley last season. Despite suffering relegation at Turf Moor, Collins established himself in the second half of the campaign after an injury to Ben Mee, making 19 league appearances.

The centre-back moved to Lancashire from Stoke for £12.6million last summer but has already been touted with another transfer, with Villa reported to be one of several clubs "monitoring" the Burnley defender . Having also impressed on international duty this month, former Republic of Ireland international has tipped Collins to reach the very top of the sport.

“I think Collins, if I am looking at world players like him, then I looked at Matthijs de Ligt and look at those two who are similar ages,” Kilbane told Off the Ball . “De Ligt gets a £100million move to Juventus from Ajax. There is very little in them when you are looking at them.

“I know De Ligt has more experience and people laugh when you say things like this. But he’s very much like De Ligt in the way he plays. Very aggressive at times, when need be. But he’s so good on the ball and he makes things look very easy. If he continues like this, then he could potentially be an all-time great.”

Kilbane went on to compare Collins to a former Villa centre-back: “He’s got the pace of Richard Dunne. Richard Dunne was absolutely the best defender I played with throughout my career. If he goes on to do half of what Richard Dunne has done, then we’ve got a real prospect on our hands.”

Villa had previously been linked with a move for his Burnley teammate James Tarkowski,