Dean Smith is monitoring experienced defender James Collins, as he looks to potentially sign his first player as Aston Villa manager.

The former Wales international, who featured over 100 times for Villa earlier in his career, is training with the West Midlands side following his release from West Ham this summer.

And, according to Birmingham Live, Smith will be closely watching the 35-year-old in the coming days as he weighs up whether to offer him a contract.

As he is a free agent, Villa are not restricted in terms of when they need to complete a deal by. But would he be a good signing?

Here we look at two pros and two cons regarding this potential transfer...

Firstly, you have to say that Villa are extremely short for defensive options this season and it's shown, with the side conceding 20 goals in 12 games.

Mile Jedinak has been used as a makeshift centre-back and it hasn't worked at all, with Axel Tuanzebe the only other option to partner James Chester.

So, if Villa did sign Collins, he would go straight into the first-team in the eyes of many.

Villa have failed to replace John Terry from last season, but Collins could be the man to do so, as he shares a lot of similar qualities.

Obviously, he has the physicality and no-nonsense qualities that endeared Terry to the Villa Park crowd but he will also be a positive influence in other ways.

Collins is a real leader, has great experience and is the sort of figure that Smith will want in the dressing room.

However, you have to be concerned when you look at Collins' injury record in recent seasons.

Villa need someone to come in and make an immediate impact, not a player that will miss games regularly.

Given his age and fitness record, it's a risky move.

Another worry would be how he fits into Smith's style of play.

One of the pleasing factors about his appointment for fans was that the former Brentford boss will encourage an attractive style of play, including playing out from the back.

That's not really Collins' game though, so he could struggle in this setup.

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