Aston Villa are intent on taking Tom Heaton to Villa Park this summer and will pay a fee to do so, according to the Daily Mirror.

Heaton is likely to be hot property, with the former England keeper down the pecking order at Burnley and desperate for first team football.

The issues at Villa are well-documented and Dean Smith is thought to be targeting the stopper as a replacement for Orjan Nyland, their summer signing from Ingolstadt.

Heaton had risen to the international squad a season or two ago, but following injury Nick Pope took his spot at Turf Moor and more recently, Joe Hart has done the same.

The Mirror report suggests Burnley do want a fee for the 32-year old, but that Aston Villa are willing to meet their valuation in order to secure the stopper's services for the second half of the season.

Heaton started out at Manchester United and had several loan spell, progressing to the England Under 21 set up in 2009. He had to wait seven years to earn a full international call up, making two appearances in 2016 and one in 2017.

The Verdict

This is a crucial signing for Villa. If they want a top six spot, or even a top two finish, they need a good number one.

Heaton has been desperately unlucky at Burnley, they've got a great collection of keepers and that has meant he's surplus to requirements.

At 32 he's still young for a keeper and would be a big coup for Villa if they pull it off.