Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard could form a nightmare duo at Villa Park by signing Burnley star Dwight McNeil in this January transfer window.

What's the story?

According to recent reports from Alan Nixon, Villa are one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing the Clarets ace, although it is suggested that they must get rid of a few players first before making a move for the winger.

Imagine him and Ings

At just 22, the winger has got plenty of time to grow and develop under Gerrard at Villa Park, and that potential is something his teammate with the Clarets, Ashley Westwood, has previously raved about.

He said: "He’s really mature. I think the world of him, he’s a special talent. It’s been good to see him grow up because when he first came training with us he was really quiet.

"He’s already racked up more than 50 games in the Premier League now, which at his age is phenomenal. He’s producing as well so if he keeps doing that and we all keep doing what we’re doing then there will be teams circulating."

With Ings finding his feet at Villa Park himself following his summer move from Southampton - he netted in the 2-1 defeat to Brentford last time out - having someone with McNeil's ability could hold the key to unlocking the very best of him.

The Burnley man is very much a creative winger rather than a goal-scoring one in the mould of a Mohamed Salah, with his best work coming in the way he provides for his teammates - he averages 1.3 key passes, 1.1 crosses and 2.1 dribbles per game in the Premier League this season.

In fact, out of players who predominantly play out wide, only Andros Townsend and Raphinha have managed more crosses per game than McNeil this campaign, thus highlighting his excellent deliveries from the flank.

Ings could thrive with having someone like McNeil playing alongside him, knowing that rather than trying to cut in and shoot like a Bertrand Traore or Anwar El Ghazi, the Englishman can get to the by-line and cross it in for him like an old-school winger.

The £26m-rated star could add to an already exciting Villa attack and help unleash Ings, and is exactly why Gerrard should go in for him.

Meanwhile, Villa are also eyeing this Brazilian striker...