Eddie Howe drops hint over Aston Villa target Lewis Grabban

Villa have been given encouragement ahead of a potential January swoop for Lewis Grabban after Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe admitted the striker could be sold in January.

Grabban is currently on a season-long loan at Sunderland, where he scored 11 goals in just 17 appearances.

But the deal includes a recall option during the approaching transfer window and Howe yesterday hinted at cashing in on the 29-year-old in the New Year.

Villa are one of several clubs to have been linked with Grabban, with boss Steve Bruce eager to bolster a forward department which has been blighted by injuries this season.

“With Lewis, we will make the right decision for him and for us,” Howe said. “I think it will be something we will sit down and talk about.”

A permanent deal could prove tricky, for Villa, who still needing to comply with Financial Fair Play guidelines.

Owner Tony Xia has stated the club would target “one or two” loan deals during the January window, while the club’s scouting department has been tasked with scouring Europe in the hunt for a bargain buy.

Villa face being without star man Jonathan Kodjia for the most of the season after the striker underwent ankle surgery for the second time in six months.