Aston Villa have initiated a move for a new forward player, bearing semblance to a star already residing inside the Claret and Blue ranks.

As relayed by Birmingham Live reporter Ashley Preece, who was quoting an Italian transfer specialist, Villa have already instigated the opening phase of discussions for Matheus Cunha, a dynamic and graceful forward currently on the books of Atletico Madrid.

In the market for offensive reinforcements, Villa boss Unai Emery is said to be enamoured with the ace, who has not quite found his feet under Atletico boss Diego Simeone's rigid, defence-centred system.

Watkins upgrade

Cunha has failed to score and assisted just twice across 17 outings this season, having made just two starts for his club. However, his quality is evident and he would be a shrewd addition to the Villa ranks if the interest was turned up a notch.

Last term, after signing for the prominent Spanish side from Hertha Berlin for a reported £22m, Cunha managed to record six goals and assists apiece in La Liga, despite only starting eight matches.

Given the opportunity to earn regular minutes at Villa Park, his influence would likely blossom and he would bring a fluid and dogged approach, potentially taking the baton from Ollie Watkins.

Watkins has been a dwindling presence in Aston recently, managing to net just two goals this season despite starting 13 Premier League matches this term.

And, with divisional rivals Everton reportedly registering interest in the player this season, the 23-year-old Cunha could be the answer to lift Villa's Emery toward the prominence the proud fanbase demands.

Cunha is still recording an average of 1.1 shots per match despite registering just 34 minutes per performance, as per Sofascore, which is only 0.8 behind Watkins, who has been a regular presence for his side.

As per FBref, the Brazilian's defensive metrics, naturally, are sensational, ranking him within the top 2% for blocks, the top 4% for interceptions and the top 6% for tackles when compared to positional peers across Europe's big five leagues over the past year.

Such statistics will always be heightened by a player of Atletico Madrid, with the impetus on defence indeed extreme, but it does illuminate an aptitude and awareness across the pitch that would serve a team such as Aston Villa very well indeed.

Cunha - lauded as a “magician” - would add a dimension to the Villa attack that could just ignite the frontline, but with the eight-cap Brazil international just over one year into his five-year contract, Atletico might demand a high fee, regardless, Emery should test the resolve; it would be a statement of real intent.