According to The Daily Mirror, Aston Villa have got Bournemouth winger David Brooks on their transfer short-list ahead of a potential move.

What's the story?

Dean Smith's side have enjoyed an impressive first-half of the season in the Premier League, finding themselves in eighth place, and just seven points off the top with two games in hand.

Now, The Daily Mirror claim that Villa are ready to back their manager in the transfer market, with Brooks being one of the names under consideration.

The report adds that the club are determined to improve their squad, and are ready to green-light a move for the £16.2m-rated Brooks if Smith decides to do so.

Chance for Dean Smith

With Villa seemingly ready to back him this month, it's the perfect chance for Smith to seize the moment and try and capitalise on his side's excellent start to the season.

In Brooks, he could find someone who can fit seamlessly into the group of attacking players just behind the striker, with the Wales international comfortable playing anywhere across there.

This season has seen him bag four goals and provide a further five assists in 19 games, and it's no wonder that his former manager at Sheffield United, Chris Wilder, declared him a "match-winner" and someone he wanted to bring back in October last year.

Brooks could offer Villa that extra bit of dynamism going forward, with Eddie Howe hailing his "creative flair" and "non-stop energy".

If he were to arrive at Villa Park, then that would raise serious doubts over Trezeguet's long-term future at the club, especially considering the side already have Anwar El Ghazi and Bertrand Traore who operate on that flank.

Brooks' extra versatility means Smith could quite easily play him in the number ten role, but the addition of another player who can feature from the right could spell curtains for the Egyptian.