Aston Villa prepare Charlie Austin swoop?

Aston Villa reportedly want to sign Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin during the January transfer window.

Bottom-of-the-table Villa are the Premier League's joint lowest goalscorers this term, having found the back of the net only 10 times in their 12 outings.

According to The Telegraph, new manager Remi Garde has identified 26-year-old Austin as the ideal centre-forward to ease the team's current issues in front of goal.

The report adds that despite the fact that Austin's contract at Loftus Road is due to expire at the end of the season, QPR still value the frontman at £8m.

Austin, who missed most of October with a hamstring injury, has scored seven Championship goals so far this campaign.