It appears Aston Villa haven't given up hope of signing Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard just yet.

Reports in recent days have suggested that Villa remain keen on signing Edouard in the upcoming summer transfer window, and if the club do end up signing the Frenchman, it could help build a dream attack for Dean Smith.

Speaking after his superb performance in a 3-0 win over Hamilton earlier in the season, Celtic boss Neil Lennon said: "He’s scored goals in cup finals, he’s scored goals in big games from the penalty spot and he took it brilliantly today. He looked far more like himself today and I thought he was magnificent. He’s a joy to watch at times, so he’s had a good day as well.

"We’ve got two good strikers there, the link up for the second goal is great."

And that last part about the link-up between the two strikers is what should have Smith excited about how Edouard could fit into his plans at Villa Park.

This season in the Premier League, the Villa boss has had to rely on Ollie Watkins as his sole striking option, with Wesley still on his way back to full fitness, and Keinan Davis not getting a look-in.

While Smith has gone with the lone man up front, Edouard's arrival could see a potential shift in tactics, with the Frenchman lining up alongside Watkins as a two-man duo - the latter of course could drift out wide given that he's played as a winger before earlier in his career.

The £13.5m-rated Edouard has got the all-round game to be both a finisher and creator, something best seen by his very impressive Celtic record of 81 goals and 35 assists.

Adding the Frenchman to Villa's striking ranks would give Smith the option of playing the two up top as an old-school strike duo, or play Watkins off the flanks with Edouard through the middle.

It would go a long way to helping Smith build a dream attack at Villa.

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