Could Birmingham end up helping Aston Villa in Charlie Austin chase?

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Aston Villa reportedly want to sign Charlie Austin from Southampton.

It appears that signing a new striker is going to be one of Aston Villa boss Dean Smith’s top priorities heading into the final days of the January transfer window.

The Villans have been lethal going forward in the Championship this term, and Tammy Abraham tops the division’s scoring charts with 19 goals – that is more than Bolton’s entire team have scored.

Nevertheless, The Telegraph reports that Villa are not expecting to be able to hold onto Abraham beyond this season and are thus, looking at a move for Southampton striker Charlie Austin, who has been made available this month.

Austin has a remarkable record at Championship level, having scored 68 goals in 129 second tier appearances throughout his career. It would be a big statement from the Villans if they managed to sign the 29-year-old, especially with The Telegraph adding that Wolves also want the forward.

Despite the reports however, it is difficult to see Southampton sanctioning Austin’s exit without lining up a replacement first. Manolo Gabbiadini has already left this month, and Ralph Hasenhuttl does not have a lot of experience beyond the likes of Shane Long and Danny Ings.

So could Aston Villa receive a boost in their pursuit of Austin from Birmingham City of all clubs?

The Daily Mirror reported on Sunday that the Saints have seen an £8 million offer for Blues striker Che Adams rejected, but Garry Monk is bracing himself for further bids from his old side for the 14-goal striker.

So if Southampton manage to sign Adams before the window closes, that would perhaps make Austin’s departure more likely, and potentially boost Villa’s hopes of landing one of their own January targets.