Aston Villa have reportedly approached Burnley with the hope of taking centre-back Ben Gibson on loan for the remainder of the season, according to Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports News. 

Gibson only moved to Turf Moor from Middlesbrough in the summer for what was a club record £15million but has failed to assert himself on Sean Dyche's side, making just one Premier League appearance this season after suffering from a hernia.

The 26-year-old graduated through the Boro youth system, making over 200 appearances and becoming a crucial part of Aitor Karanka's side that won promotion to the Premier League in 2016.

But it now looks like he could be set to return to the second-tier just months after leaving it with Villa boss Dean Smith identifying him as somebody who could significantly strengthen their back line.

Villa currently sit in tenth place on 42 points in what has been a lacklustre season but are also just four points behind Derby County who occupy the final spot in the play-offs.

Gibson would become Smith's third signing of the month, following goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic and centre-back Kortney Hause into the club.

The verdict 

This would be a real coup for Villa if they could pull it off.

Gibson has long been one of the Championship's stand-out defenders as is undoubtedly Premier League quality but has had rotten luck with injuries.

He would make a huge difference to Villa's promotion chances.