After their impressive 3-0 away win at promotion rivals Middlesbrough last week, Aston Villa will be looking to make it five wins in six games against West Bromwich Albion on Friday night.

It's now five wins in eight games for Dean Smith as Villa manager, and the West Midlands side look a revitalised unit under the former Brentford boss, and promotion is well in their sights once again.

One major problem that Villa still have is their defensive issues - they may have kept a clean sheet against Boro, but they have conceded seven goals in their last two home games, and have now shipped 30 goals in the league this term, only five teams have conceded more.

Smith has tried to address this issue before the January transfer window, after reportedly agreeing a deal to sign former West Ham United defender James Collins.

This signing may be short-term, but what about the long-term? Here, we take a look at three defensive options Aston Villa must look at in January...

Scott McKenna would be most Villa fans' number-one choice of defenders in January - the West Midlands club reportedly had a £6.5million bid rejected in the summer, but they should definitely go in for him again.

The 22-year old stalwart has been a rock at the back for Aberdeen and the Scottish national team, and has already captained his country at a relatively young age.

With Premier League side Wolves reportedly after his services, it'll be tough for Villa to lure him to the club amid top flight interest, but Smith needs to do all he can to sign him in January.

Should a move for McKenna fail to materialise, then Smith should definitely go back to former club Brentford and persuade Chris Mepham to join Villa.

The 21-year old has emerged as one of the best young defenders in the Championship, and is very highly regarded at Griffin Park - with the Bees rejecting a reported £10million bid from Bournemouth for the centre-half back in the summer.

But with the West London club dropping ever since Smith's departure, his valuation is bound to have gone down, and Villa need to sign him whilst the Bees are out of sorts.

Another bright prospect that Villa should definitely be looking to sign is Portsmouth's Matt Clarke.

The 22-year old has played an integral role at the back for Kenny Jackett's men, who have conceded the least amount of goals in League One with Pompey sitting four points clear at the top of the table.

At 22 years of age, he has plenty of years ahead of him, and should be on Villa's radar.