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According to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has offered free agent James Collins a five-week deal.

Collins has been without a club since being released by West Ham United at the end of last season. However, the veteran centre-back has been training with the Villans - whom he represented between 2009 and 2012 - for the last few days and it has been decided that the 51-cap Wales international should be handed a short-term contract before his situation is reviewed again in January.

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The 35-year-old will certainly bring some experience to Villa Park, having made over 200 Premier League appearances in his career. He will also offer much-needed back up to James Chester and Axel Tuanzebe.

It remains to be seen if the 6’2” man will be retained until the end of the season, but unless Smith brings in significant defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window, then keeping Collins around until the end of the Championship campaign in May would be a wise move.

What do you think, Villa fans, should Collins be offered contract until the end of the season?