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As Aston Villa's season looks to be over after a bitterly disappointing run of results, it seems as if Dean Smith is already preparing for a summer overhaul.

The Villans were held to a 1-1 draw against Stoke City at the weekend, meaning that the West Midlands side now sit 11th in the Sky Bet Championship table, eight points off the play-off places after winning just one of their previous 10 league games.

And reports from reliable journalist Alan Nixon claim that Smith is already preparing for next season, with news linking Villa with a move to sign Barnsley defender Liam Lindsay.

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The Scottish defender has been a regular for a Barnsley side that boast the best defensive record in League One, with Daniel Stendel's men well on course to finish in the automatic promotion places this season.

He may be an unknown name to some Villa fans, but here, we take a look at three clear reasons why Villa must sign Liam Lindsay in the summer...

[snack_break title="He has serious potential"]

After putting in a string of impressive performances for the Tykes, Lindsay has proven that he is one of the best young defenders in the country.

At 23 years of age, he has played a massive part in Barnsley's promotion push in League One, and has already attracted interest from big clubs such as Stoke in January.

We have seen young defenders, such as the likes of Chris Mepham, move to Premier League clubs for big money, and there is no reason why Lindsay can't be the next one to shine in the next few years.

[snack_break title="Villa need defensive reinforcements"]

It's no secret that Villa have struggled defensively this term, and have conceded far too many sloppy goals.

For a team that is chasing promotion to the Premier League, conceding 53 goals in 34 games is just not good enough, especially when you look at Villa's promotion rivals in the likes of Middlesbrough, who have only shipped 24 goals this term.

[snack_break title="He'd be the perfect replacement for Mings"]

Tyrone Mings has been solid for Villa since his arrival from AFC Bournemouth on loan, and has quickly established himself as a fans' favourite at Villa Park.

But, if he keeps up this level of performances, then Villa could find it very difficult to tie him down to a permanent deal in the summer.

Lindsay, just like Mings, is a young, strong, towering centre-half and he'd be the perfect replacement for the long-term.

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