Aston Villa have had well documented defensive issues this season since the release of now assistant manager John Terry in the summer.

Along with the former captain, Tommy Elphick has also departed on loan despite starting and scoring, in the opening day win over Hull City.

Since they, Villa have had problems at the back with former manager Steve Bruce even trying to convert midfield general Mile Jedinak into a centre-half.

That experiment failed, and Bruce was sacked, but with Dean Smith coming in to replace him, the defensive questions remain.

With the January transfer window opening soon, several players have been linked with a move to Villa Park, and one name that will be familiar to many of the club’s fans is Gary Cahill.

The Chelsea defender is reportedly a target for the Championship club to help with their rearguard issue.

With the club linked with their former star, we thought we would ask the Aston Villa faithful if they would be happy with a potential move that would see Cahill return to the club.

The result of the poll was resounding, with 72 per cent of those who took part in the vote with the opinion that they would indeed be happy with a return of a player who left the club ten years ago.

Villa are in need of defenders and ones that can affect the game positively and have the experience needed to see the club move up the table.

In getting Cahill back, if the potential interest materialises into a move, then the vast majority of the supporters who voted would certainly welcome Cahill back with open arms.

Conversely, even with Villa’s mounting defensive woes that have persisted throughout the campaign as one of the sub-plots to their season, 28 per cent of those who voted felt they would not be happy with Cahill returning to the club.

Having left for a new challenge in 2008, it could be argued that the minority here aren’t happy with that still and feel signing the 32-year-old would be a backward step for the club.

It is all conjecture at this point, and it remains to be seen if a move does come to fruition.

One thing that is certain, from this result, is that the majority of the Villa fans who took part would be delighted to see Cahill return to the club.