Aston Villa are looking to bolster their defensive options this month and have made an approach to try and secure an agreement for Caen right-back Frederic Guilbert, according to Football Insider.

The 24-year-old Frenchman has impressed in the French leagues and his good form has seemingly alerted Aston Villa officials to him, with the club working on a deal.

Dean Smith will be hoping to get this deal over the line with the Villans struggling defensively at times this season.

The Midlands outfit currently occupy 12th spot in the Sky Bet Championship table, and find themselves five points off of the top six in the division.

The defender has only ever plied his trade in France having had stints at AS Cherbourg, Bordeaux and his current club Caen.

The full-back position at Villa has had question marks over it all season, and Smith clearly wants to resolve this issue with a move for Guilbert.

The verdict

This is a gamble, but it could work.

The Frenchman has never played his football in England and the Championship is unlike any other division in world football, he won't have much time on the ball and will need to adapt to the rigours and demands of the league ASAP.

Smith is right to be targeting a new right-back as the position has been filled by a number of players this year, not to overly good effect, so a new body was needed.

Aston Villa need as many points as possible, as soon as possible, so getting the right players in during this January window could make or break their chances of promotion.