Aston Villa are exceptionally well placed in the Sky Bet Championship, with Steve Bruce’s side strengthening their grip on a place in the top-six over recent weeks and looking a good bet for the play-offs at the very least. 

Bruce has led Villa to fourth in the table, and four consecutive victories have helped to put a miserable December behind the club, with things looking good at Villa Park heading into late January.

Of course, Villa are yet to strengthen their squad this month, which Bruce will be keen to do, as he looks to maintain Villa’s momentum in the race for the play-offs.

Villa are on the lookout for a striker to compete with Scott Hogan and Keinan Davis, but Bruce is yet to secure a signature heading into a late stage of the window.

Here at FLW, we take a look at TWO Championship players we believe Bruce must make a move for…

Patrick Bamford – Middlesbrough

Boro might not be willing to let Bamford leave permanently this month, but a loan move could be a real possibility.

If so, Villa must be in the hunt to sign the forward, who has an excellent reputation in the Championship.

Bamford has struggled for opportunities at the Riverside Stadium this season, and a loan move across the division could work wonders this month.

Chris Martin – Derby County

Whether Derby would deal with a direct rival for automatic promotion remains to be seen, however, it has to be worth Villa asking the question about Martin.

Martin appears to be on his way out of the Pride Park Stadium, and the striker would bring experience to Villa’s frontline ahead of the run-in.

The 29-year-old has been involved in the Championship for a long time now, and his addition to any of the top-six would undoubtedly improve them.