Steve Bruce could finally sign long-term target for Aston Villa; he came so close to getting Peter Crouch in 2009

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Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce nearly signed Peter Crouch when he was in charge at Sunderland.

According to a report in The Sun, Aston Villa are attempting to sign Peter Crouch from Stoke City this summer.

Villa are eager to add the target-man, and it could finally give Steve Bruce a chance to link up with the experienced England international.

Bruce has been a long-term admirer of Crouch’s talents, and wanted him when he was in charge of Sunderland way back in 2009.

Bruce made a bid to bring Crouch to Sunderland, and came very close to snapping up the rangy forward.

He said to goal.com: “We did everything right and proper with Peter, and once I got him up to the training ground I thought we were nearly there, but it wasn’t to be, and I don’t see that situation changing.”

Eight years on, and Bruce is now closing in on snapping up Crouch again, and he could be a good addition for Villa.

The claret and blues are desperate to earn promotion, and Crouch’s arrival would increase Villa’s goalscoring threat.

Crouch may be 36 now, but he scored seven goals in 27 Premier League appearances last term – which suggests he could still be a major threat at Championship level.