Aston Villa manager Dean Smith could sign the club's new John Carew in Burnley striker Chris Wood this summer.

What's the story?

Football Insider recently claimed that the £7.2m-rated marksman is being lined up by Smith as someone to add more firepower to go along with Ollie Watkins, adding that Villa "are one of three top-12 Premier League clubs keeping close tabs on Wood."

Former Newcastle ace Steve Howey exclusively told Football FanCast that Wood could be a smart signing for Smith's side, saying: "He's awkward to play against. If I'm being critical, not the best at holding the ball up, but very good at flicking on and gets his goals. Strikers that score goals, the amount that he's scored in the Premier League, is a good striker.

"And if he goes to a team that are more creative, he could get a lot of goals."

A new Carew for Villa

Wood has been hailed as a "natural goalscorer" in the past by former Leeds manager Garry Monk, while former Millwall team-mate Scott Malone even dubbed him "frightening" to play against.

Since he made the step up to the Premier League, the New Zealander has shown that he can certainly handle this level, bagging 47 goals in 136 games in the division. That has led to praise from Newcastle icon Alan Shearer.

The former Magpies striker said: "I like him, I like what he does for the team and he is the focal point for them. He is very good at occupying two centre halves. He is a get out for Burnley if they want because they are not afraid to knock it long.

"He can keep hold of it and bring other players into the game. He is horrible to play against and he won't give defenders a moment's peace."

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Just like Carew - who scored 48 goals in 131 games for the club - Wood is a real handful up front, as Shearer says, and he would give Villa someone with real physicality along with the technical ability to find the back of the net.

While Wesley may offer a similar sense of size, the Brazilian hasn't really shown himself to be a real guarantee of goals in the Premier League, with that major knee injury naturally stalling his progress - he managed six goals in 25 goals before that lengthy convalescence.

Given Wood's Premier League experience and his ability to make himself a nightmare for opposition defences, Smith could certainly find Villa's new Carew in the New Zealand international.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing a move for this Premier League star...