Aston Villa's attempt to get out of the Championship at the second time of asking begins next weekend, and Steve Bruce has had a busy summer getting his squad ready.

Villa struggled in the Championship last season, finishing 13th after an underwhelming campaign.

Bruce has moved to strengthen his squad as a result, though, opting for experience over anything else as he bids to win a place back in the Premier League for the second city giants.

John Terry, Glenn Whelan, Chris Samba and Ahmed Elmohamady have all arrived at Villa Park this summer and another hugely experienced Premier League star is being tipped to join Bruce's Villa revolution.

Stoke City's Peter Crouch was linked with a move to Villa earlier in July by The Sun, but nothing is yet to come of it. However, online bookmakers BetVictor have him at just 1/2 to leave Stoke for Villa Park before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

It would be a sentimental move for the 36-year-old, who made 37 league appearances for the club between 2002 and 2004, scoring six goals.

Whether Stoke would be willing to sell this summer remains to be seen but, with the striker's playing days all but numbered, a return to Villa to help them in the Championship would perhaps represent a sensible career move for Crouch if the reported interest develops in to a solid offer.

It would also be a clever signing for Villa, who will be desperate for the experience and fire power up front if they're to improve their fortunes in England's second tier in 17/18.

Crouch has scored over 100 Premier League goals throughout his long career and, despite his age, would still prove to be a danger in front of goal in the Championship.

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