Report: Aston Villa target Peter Crouch

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce is reportedly interested in signing Stoke City forward Peter Crouch ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

Villa recently beat a number of Premier League clubs to the signing of former Chelsea captain John Terry as Bruce looks to put together a squad capable of earning promotion from the Championship next season.

According to The Sun, next on Bruce's wishlist is a deal for former England international Crouch, who scored seven times in 27 Premier League appearances for Stoke last term.

The 36-year-old is believed to be in the plans of Stoke boss Mark Hughes entering next month's kickoff, but the report claims that Villa will offer Crouch the chance to play a key role at Villa Park next season.

Crouch previously represented Villa between 2002 and 2004, managing just six goals in 43 appearances before joining Southampton.