Journo issues huge Villa update over "brick wall" that will have supporters ecstatic - opinion

Aston Villa are reportedly one of three clubs interested in securing the services of Burnley defender Nathan Collins.

That is according to a report from Alex Crook inside his transfer notebook, via talkSPORT.

The journalist stated that new Burnley manager Vincent Kompany faces a battle to keep hold of Nathan Collins, even after the departures of fellow defenders Ben Mee and James Tarkowski.

As per the report, the Republic of Ireland international is not short of offers to seal an immediate return to the Premier League, with the former Stoke City defender wanted by three clubs as detailed by Crook.

Besides Villa, it is said that Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are monitoring the 21-year-old, with Kompany facing a potential shortage of defenders in his new role at Turf Moor.

Defence has been a big attribute in Gerrard’s managerial career thus far, having set a new Scottish Premiership record of just 13 goals conceded in his title-winning season at Rangers.

He has not been able to translate that solidity to the Premier League as of yet, but then again he has not yet had a full season in charge at Villa, nor has he made his mark on the team in terms of signings until now.

Having endured an aggressive start to this summer’s transfer window though, the 42-year-old has begun moulding the squad and has the opportunity to bring in a centre-back who brings something different to what new signing Diego Carlos offers.

In Collins, the manager has the chance to to bring in a seemingly old-fashioned defender with a style reminiscent of a centre-half from yesteryear who can provide competition at the back and also help to future-proof the squad, as can be seen through Jamie O’Hara’s description of the Irishman as a “brick