Having gone unbeaten in their last six games, it's fair to say that Aston Villa are back on track in the Sky Bet Championship.

It was a torrid start to the season for the Villans - expectations were high after a very promising season under Steve Bruce last term, culminating in an unfortunate playoff final defeat to Fulham.

But this season started off in the complete opposite to what everyone expected of Villa - they won three of their opening eleven league games, and Bruce was sacked with the West Midlands club languishing in 12th position, and in came Dean Smith.

The former Brentford man has turned the tide around at Villa Park however, winning five of his first nine games in charge, and taking them within four points of the playoff places.

Many players have been given a new lease of life under Smith, but some have been standout performers for the duration of the season, especially John McGinn.

The Scotsman has been instrumental in the heart of midfield and has arguably been Villa's best player thus far this season, since arriving from SPL side St. Mirren in the summer.

The Scottish league could be a good place for Villa to delve into for new talent in the future, and here, we take a look at three SPL players that Villa must target...

Scott McKenna will be a name that instantly cries out to Villa fans, and what a signing he would be.

The centre-half has emerged as one of the best defenders in Scotland, and has already captained the national team at the young age of 22.

Aberdeen actually turned down a £6.5million bid from Villa earlier on in the season, and the club should definitely go back in for him this transfer window.

It's clear that Villa need defensive reinforcements having conceded a staggering 32 goals in the league this term, and McKenna would be a fantastic coup.

Another player that Villa have been linked with, that could definitely be of use to Villa, is Kilmarnock's Jordan Jones.

The wide-man has assisted four times for Killie this term in their surge up the SPL table, and could be a shrewd addition for Smith's men.

Some would argue that Villa don't need another attacking player, but with Albert Adomah aging, Jones could be a long-term replacement for him.

Orjan Nyland has looked shaky at times for Villa this season, and the addition of another goalkeeper in January certainly wouldn't go amiss.

Wes Foderingham could be a fantastic acquisition for Villa - the 27-year old has made just three appearances for Steven Gerrard's Rangers side this term, but has been a great servant for the Glasgow club over the last few years.

He's a very astute goalkeeper and would be a great signing for Villa.