Over the weekend, Swansea City were linked with a move for Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones with his contract set to expire in the summer. 

The SPL side rejected a £350,000 move from Rangers in January but a move away now looks all the more likely and that could be across the border. And then across another border.

Jones moved to the Scottish club in 2016 after rising through the ranks at Middlesbrough and has notched three assists for Kilmarnock so far this season.

But there could well be competition for the Swans to face if they are to land Jones.

Another club who have reportedly been monitoring his performances is Aston Villa, with Dean Smith no doubt keen to strengthen his side in the winter window.

Smith arrived from Brentford in October after Steve Bruce was sacked as Villa boss and has not had a chance to bring in his own recruits as of yet.

Here, then, are two reasons why Villa must pip Swansea to Jones's signature...

Despite having the likes of Yannick Bolasie and Anwar El Ghazi at the club neither belong to the club and will not be much help beyond this campaign as things stand.

24-year-old Jones would most likely sign a long-term deal and be a good option for Smith for years to come.

If he can get up to speed he will be a better signing that Bolasie or El Ghazi could have been.

Smith will most likely want to spend a fair amount of money on his backline and rightly so.

But that does not mean he will want to neglect his attack and Jones would be a shrewd and sensible buy.

He would leave the club with plenty left to improve the defence.