Aston Villa are reportedly keen on securing a transfer deadline day deal for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.

What's the news?

According to a recent report from talkSPORT, the Villans have joined the race, alongside fellow Premier League sides Crystal Palace, Everton, Newcastle United and West Ham United, to sign the midfielder before tonight's deadline.

He has been valued as highly as £50m this summer.

Last season saw the 22-year-old spend the campaign on loan with Palace, during which he scored eight goals and provided three assists in 34 league appearances.

He could save Gerrard

Only Ollie Watkins (13) and Danny Ings (13) provided more goal contributions for Villa in the league last season than Gallagher did for Patrick Vieira's side, showing just how deadly he can be in front of goal from midfield.

In fact, one of the Englishman's goals last season was described as "outrageous" by podcaster Dan Cook on Twitter, demonstrating the elite qualities he could add if Villa secure his signature late on.

Only three clubs have had fewer shots at goal in the league so far in this campaign than Villa (53), it's safe to say that adding a player like the Chelsea figure could give them the spark they need to become a deadlier side in front of goal.

The midfielder also proved himself to be a very useful player out of possession in a defensive sense, as he made more successful pressures (222) than any other Palace player, and only saw Tyrick Mitchell (54) make more successful tackles than him (44).

Having lost four of their five league games this term, having a player like the Englishman in their midfield would surely help improve Villa as a whole from an attacking and defensive sense.

Steven Gerrard recently shared his concerns about getting sacked as a result of his side's poor start to the season. Thus, securing a deadline day deal for a player as talented as Gallagher could well buy him some time in the job, especially if the player can have the same impact at Villa Park as he did at Palace last season.

Despite having a hefty reported price tag, if the Villa Park outfit can secure a late deal for the midfielder, either on a permanent basis or on loan, ahead of their numerous Premier League colleagues, this would surely please plenty at Villa, no less than Gerrard who will finally be hoping to turn their dismal season around.