According to reports in the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are interested in signing Chelsea centre-back Michael Hector this summer.

The defender surprisingly move to Stamford Bridge from Reading on a five-year deal in September 2015 when Jose Mourinho was in charge, before being sent back to the Royals on a season-long loan deal.

The 24-year-old – who is yet to make an appearance for his parent club – has spent the current campaign with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt after current Blues boss Antonio Conte decided he would get regular first team football there, and the Jamaica international helped the team reach the German Cup final as they beat Borussia Monchengladbach 7-6 on penalties in the semi-final on Tuesday night.

Following a disappointing Championship campaign that looks set to end with a mid-table finish, Villa manager Steve Bruce will hope to strengthen his squad this summer in order for a promotion push next term and the defence could be an area he focuses on.

Here are three reasons Aston Villa should sign Hector this summer…

He has Championship experience

Football - Reading v Arsenal - FA Cup Semi Final - Wembley Stadium - 18/4/15
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez in action with Reading's Michael Hector 
Reuters / Stefan Wermuth
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Having played 75 matches for Reading in the Championship – and proving to be one of their most consistent defenders in the process – Hector knows what is needed to succeed in the notoriously tough division.

Steve Bruce will be aware that the Jamaican is a more than capable performer at this level, and that can only help to improve what is already a sturdy Villa backline – they have conceded just 46 goals in 44 league matches this season.

He can make the Premier League step up

Bruce will also know that when he is looking to bring in new players to the club this summer that they will need to have the potential to make the step up to the Premier League for the 2018/19 season – if Villa are promoted.

Chelsea must have seen something in him at Reading that convinced them that he could make an impact in the top flight, and his loan spell in the Bundesliga will have only helped improve his all-round game.

His height

While James Chester has probably been Villa’s best defender in the Championship this season, Bruce may look to have the option of having more height in his backline for certain matches with the Welshman standing at just 5’11” tall.

Signing Hector would certainly go some way to solving that problem as he comes in at 6’4”, and he has shown how strong he is in the air by winning 30 aerial duels in 19 Bundesliga appearances this term.

He of course will also be a threat in the opposition box too, which could help to boost a side that has generally struggled for goals.

Do you agree, Villa fans? Let us know below.