Aston Villa to rival West Ham United for Benjamin Pavard?

Aston Villa are reportedly ready to battle West Ham United for the January signing of Lille right-back Benjamin Pavard.

The 19-year-old France Under-21s international made his first-team debut for the Ligue 1 side last season and has featured six times in all competitions in the current campaign.

However, the versatile defender, who can also play in central defence or at left-back, has not appeared since the end of October and was linked with a move to West Ham last month.

Goal.com reports that Remi Garde is now considering joining the hunt for the teenager's signature to add to the Ligue 1 contingent at Villa, and that the club have opened preliminary talks with the French side after keeping tabs on the player.

The Premier League bottom side brought in French players Jordan Veretout and Jordan Amavi in the summer transfer window, as well as signing Lille midfielder Idrissa Gana, and the report claims that they are hoping that this will persuade Pavard to choose the Birmingham club over the Hammers.