Aston Villa boss Dean Smith comments on James Collins

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Steve Bruce reportedly wanted to sign James Collins for Aston Villa.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has suggested to The Birmingham Mail that he is interested in signing former West Ham United defender James Collins.

Collins is a free agent at the moment following his departure from Premier League side West Ham at the end of last season.

The 35-year-old central defender has been training with Villa for a while, with Smith’s predecessor at Villa Park, Steve Bruce, reported by The Telegraph to have been interested in handing him a contract.

Smith has revealed that the former Wales international is still training with Villa, and has suggested that the centre-back could be offered a contract.

“Everybody knows our lack of centre-backs so I think it is right to keep him around us,” Smith told The Birmingham Mail about Collins. “It was Steve (Bruce) who brought him in here for the same reason.

“We’ll keep him around us and see what fitness levels he can get to. He’s an out-of-contract player so he’s one we can add to the squad if need be.”

Desperate move?

Collins is past his prime, but the former West Ham defender can still do a job in the Championship for Villa.

The Welshman was on the books of the Villans from 2009 until 2012 and knows the club well, but signing a 35-year-old to solve a major problem does look like desperation from Villa.