Aston Villa have endured a horrific season in the Premier League, but they have today been linked in the Daily Mail with one of the Sky Bet Championship's most prolific strikers in a bid for an immediate return to the top-flight.

Off the field problems - managers, backroom staff, owner conflict - alongside on field performances that are nothing short of embarrassing have resulted in a bottom of the table finish in the Premier League.

A change at Villa is now a certainty as they have been relegated to the second tier of English football. The correct players need to be embedded within Villa's squad next season, the spine of the team needs to be drastically altered and with that comes a new striker.

Rudy Gestede has already had some Championship experience with Blackburn Rovers and has been relatively successful within the league and, by linking up well with Jordan Rhodes, he was able to get into double figures in all competitions in his final season with the Lancashire outfit.

The reason I mention this is because if they do use Gestede another experienced striker alongside him could be the key to promotion.

Ross McCormack could be the answer to Villa's problems.

According to the Daily Mail, Villa are interested in the Scot and, after an £11 million transfer to Fulham from Leeds United, McCormack has been Fulham's saving grace this season with 23 goals.

Derby County looked interested in the Fulham man in January, so to secure his long term services the Londoners tied him down into a lucrative deal.

However, it is understood that there is a trigger in his contract to release the club of his services if need be.

Fulham fans... what do you make of the news? How do you feel about Villa's interest in McCormack? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!