Aston Villa appear to be edging nearer to finally completing a deal for a new defender.

The Villans are expected to sign Welsh defender James Collins as manager Steve Bruce appears to finally be bringing his chase for a replacement to John Terry to a close.

According to a report in the Sun, Collins has told Ipswich Town manager Paul Hurst he will not be signing for him, leaving the door wide open for Collins to return to Villa.

The 35-year-old has been a free agent all summer since being released by Premier League West Ham, but could not get what could well be a final swansong in his career with Villa, who are desperate for defensive reinforcements after being hammered 4-1 by Sheffield United two weeks back and failing to sign a defender to replace the departed Terry.

Collins will bring a wealth of experience and Premier League knowledge with him to Villa Park, and Bruce will no doubt be keen to see Collins have a similar type of impact to that what Terry had last time out.

The big defender previously made just shy of 100 appearances for Villa in a three year spell which ended in 2012, and Villa fans will no fully what to expect from their new man if he does sign on the dotted line.

Villa fans, what do you think? Is Collins the right type of signing? Let us know in the comments!

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