Nottingham Forest are interested in making a potential move for Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodija this month, according to the BBC's chief football writer Phil McNulty.

Forest are in need of bringing in a new striker this month, with Sabri Lamouchi looking to sign someone to take some of the pressure off Lewis Grabban upfront, with Rafa Mir not having made the impact the Reds were hoping for when they signed him on loan from Wolves in the summer.

Kodija was a key part of Aston Villa's push for promotion to the Premier League last season, with the forward having registered nine goals in 41 league Championship appearances, as Villa secured promotion by beating Derby County 2-1 in the play-off final at Wembley.

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However, Kodija has found his involvement limited so far this campaign, making just six Premier League appearances, although he has scored twice in Villa's run to the semi-finals of the League Cup - and the 30-year-old could offer Forest some extra fire power up front if they secure his signature.

The Verdict

Kodija would be a very good option for the Reds to bring in up front, with the striker having the flexibility of being able to lead the line, but also to play off a forward or in the wide positions, and that would potentially allow Lamouchi to alter his system at times to pair him with Grabban and put him out wide in certain games.

The 30-year-old has shown he can be reliable scorer in the Championship when he is fully fit, having netted nine times last season, and 19 goals for Villa during the 2016/17 season, which suggests he could supply the added attacking threat Forest are needing.

Given he is not featuring much for Villa in the league, they could potentially be open to allowing him to leave Villa Park this month, and Forest will be hoping to convince the striker to make the move to the City Ground and help fire them to promotion.