James Collins to pen short-term Aston Villa deal?

Aston Villa have reportedly decided to hand a short-term contract to defender James Collins.

The former Wales international has been without a team since the summer having been released by West Ham United, but the centre-back has spent a number of weeks training with Championship outfit Villa.

According to the Daily Mail, manager Dean Smith has decided to give Collins a five-week deal in order to boost his options in the middle of his backline.

Villa have recently been left with just two fit centre-backs - James Chester and Axel Tuanzebe - and the 5-5 draw against Nottingham Forest in midweek has led to Collins being drafted in as backup.

Collins has already spent a period at Villa earlier in his career, with the 35-year-old making 110 outings for the club between 2009 and 2012.