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According to The Chronicle, Aston Villa could pursue a move for Newcastle's Isaac Hayden if they get promoted.

What's the word?

Since moving from Arsenal to the Magpies, Hayden has established himself as a fine Premier League midfielder.

This season in particular he's been very impressive, becoming one of the mainstays in Rafa Benitez's team.

However, per The Chronicle, he could now be on the move with Aston Villa considering an approach for the player should they get back into the top-flight.

The report states that Newcastle are likely to demand a fee of around £15m for the midfield man but there is set to be fierce competition for his signature.

Also interested are West Ham whilst Brighton also have a long term admiration for the player.

Hayden can bring extra physicality

Villa have a number of midfielders who are all extremely composed on the ball so Hayden would fit straight into the team in that regard.

Having come through the system at Arsenal he knows how to look after the ball whilst he also has a keen eye for a pass.

But it's his physicality and ability in the air that can add something to the Villa midfield that they sorely miss.

In the Premier League this season, Hayden has won on an average 2.2 aerial duels per game. If you compare that to the numbers that some of Villa's main midfield men have mustered this season they don't even come close.

From Dean Smith's regular options in the middle of the park, Glenn Whelan boasts the best aerial duels with just 1.2 won per game. John McGinn is next with 1.0 whilst Jack Grealish is down at a measly 0.8.

With this in mind, the potential signing of the 24-year-old would be game changing.

Of course, it depends on whether the Villans achieve promotion on Bank Holiday Monday, but signing Hayden would certainly be a shrewd move.

The former Arsenal man is proven in the Premier League and barely puts a foot wrong. It would be the ideal start to the window for Smith.