Aston Villa have shown promising signs in recent weeks under Dean Smith who is starting to find his feet at his boyhood club.

But they could be dealt a blow with captain, James Chester, being potentially ruled out after picking up an injury on international duty with Wales.

Smith is thought to be tracking Chelsea defender Gary Cahill ahead of the January transfer window, and it was thought that the Championship club were in pole position to land the former England man.

But recent reports from Correre Dello Sport suggest that European giants, AC Milan, are rivalling Villa to land the centre-back's signature in January.

Both sides have a lack of depth in defence and they will be keen to land Cahill to address that issue in the transfer window.

But what realistic alternatives are available to Dean Smith if Villa are beaten by AC Milan to Gary Cahill in January when the transfer window reopens?

Find out here....

The Wolves defender is yet to make an appearance for the Premier League side, and it is unlikely that he will get a start in the top-flight.

Iorfa is down the pecking order at Molineux this season, and at the age of 23, he is sure to be looking for regular first-team football in January.

He has a huge amount of potential and his physicality and speed would be a real asset to Dean Smith's side if he was to join Villa.

The Southampton centre-back broke into the first-team last season and made an excellent start to his Saints career, but he has struggled to replicate that form in this years campaign.

Stephens has been limited to just five appearances for his struggling side this season and they could be tempted to loan the defender out, especially with the return of Maya Yoshida recently.

The Welsh defender is likely to be a man in demand in January when the transfer window reopens, with Mepham being one of Dean Smith's former players that he could be tempted to bring in.

He has made 16 starts for Brentford this season and has been the standout player in what has been a disappointing recent run of form for the Bees.

Mepham would cost Villa a considerable amount, but he would be worth the risk, given that he is proven in the Championship already.