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Aston Villa must make a loan move for Jermain Defoe at the start of 2019, with the experienced forward struggling for football at Bournemouth.

What's the word, then?

Defoe made 26 appearances in all competitions for Bournemouth last term, and whilst he has been involved for the Cherries this term, there is no question that he is down the pecking order.

Indeed, Callum Wilson and Josh King are Bournemouth’s first-choice pairing in the final third, and Defoe has only played 21 minutes of Premier League football this season.

The centre-forward’s contract at the Vitality Stadium will run until the summer of 2020, but there is every chance that he could leave before then.

According to The Sun, Sheffield United want to sign Defoe on loan in the January transfer window, but Villa must beat their Championship rivals to his signature.

Defoe has been a goalscorer at every club that he was represented, and a record of 163 strikes in 496 Premier League appearances is very impressive indeed.

Why should Villa move for Defoe?

Tammy Abraham joined Villa on loan from Chelsea during the summer, and the striker has been in red-hot form for the Championship club this season.

Indeed, the England international has scored 11 times in his 14 league appearances, including seven goals in his last four matches.

It had been suggested that Chelsea could recall Abraham in January, but Villa are now reportedly confident of keeping the striker until the end of the season.

Villa do not currently play with two strikers, but head coach Dean Smith should make a January move for Defoe and pair the 5ft 7in ace with Abraham in the final third of the field.

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Villa are very much on the up having moved to within three points of the top six with a strong run of form, and the January arrival of Defoe could help fire them to the Premier League.