Aston Villa are closing in on ending the season in a play-off place having snuck into the top six this past weekend.

Dean Smith’s side overcame a promotion-chasing Middlesbrough side 3-0 at Villa Park to leapfrog Derby County and Bristol City into the final play-off place.

An upturn in form has overseen their rise up the table, scoring goals at will but also able to keep them out in equal measure.

That has been down mainly to the effectiveness of Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause.

The loan pair have let in one goal in their last four matches – of which they have won all four.

Mings and Hause have been exceptional for Villa since their partnership began – but having only arrived for the short-term – they may not be available next season.

Hause, in particular, had to wait his turn to get in the side and has not let Smith down thus far – but having been so impressive, there could be teams after him in the summer, which may be able to coax him away from the interested eyes of Villa.

If they were to be unsuccessful in making the loan deal permanent, there is a perfect replacement waiting for Smith to snap up in the close-season.

Semi Ajayi at Rotherham is the archetypical defender that would be of supreme interest to the current Villa boss, and he is single-handedly trying to keep the Millers in the second tier.

With that said, here are THREE reasons why the 25-year-old is the perfect replacement for Hause should Villa be unable to secure him on a permanent deal in the summer.

More versatile

Hause is able to play as a left-back or a centre-half, both of which is as adept at performing in.

But Rotherham’s Ajayi is the more versatile of the two defenders.

At the heart of the Miller’s defence is where their captain is better suited, but if needs must – Ajayi is able to play in the holding role in the middle of the part, as well as slightly further forward, in a central capacity.

It could be a signing that gives Smith more options should he need to change a game should Villa be chasing.

Posting better numbers

The 25-year-old is head and shoulders above Hause in terms of stats this season.

The Villa loanee may have only played eight times and looked impressive alongside Mings, but the Rotherham man has averaged more impressive numbers.

Ajayi, on average, managed more tackles, interceptions, blocks and even shots per goal each game.

He has six more goals that Hause’s one – and is more of a destructive type of defender the Villa fans would grow to love.

A natural born leader

Of the two Villa centre-backs, Mings is the leader of the two, and Smith will need defensive stalwarts next term to avoid the position that area was in at the start of the campaign.

Ajayi is one of the leaders at Rotherham and is a leader on the pitch and in the dressing room.

He would be able to handle the pressure of playing at the club like Villa as he is thriving off the battle to stay in the Championship right now with the Millers.