Aston Villa are plotting a move to sign West Ham United defender Craig Dawson this week, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Limited opportunities

The 32-year-old has now entered the final year of his contract at the London Stadium, but he has recently been out with an injury which has hampered his playing time.

David Moyes signed Nayef Aguerd at centre-back earlier in the summer, and despite the Moroccan also facing a spell on the sidelines, his arrival in the Premier League is bound to limit the veteran’s opportunities upon his return to fitness.

The Latest: Villa eyeing Dawson

The Sun claim that Villa owners NSWE and sporting director Johan Lange are ‘swooping’ for Dawson in a bid to ‘solve their defensive worries’, with Steven Gerrard currently ‘trying to tie up a deal’.

It’s stated that the Irons are ‘reluctant to sell’ their experienced colossus, but it’s believed that he is ‘willing to quit’ in order to find more game-time, with the Midlands outfit ready to offer their target a ‘two-year’ contract.

The Verdict: Hause replacement

Kortney Hause has recently joined Watford on a season-long loan, leaving Villa short at the back with Diego Carlos also ruled out of action, so Dawson would be a brilliant reinforcement for Gerrard.

The 6 foot 1 colossus, who was hailed as ‘irreplaceable’ by Leeds United ambassador Noel Whelan, averaged 4.1 clearances and 1.5 blocks per top-flight game last season (WhoScored), and he has plenty of experience having made 238 appearances at this level.

Only Tyrone Mings (4.2) bettered that clearances average in 2021/22, while no Villa defender made more than one block per match, so Dawson could certainly add steel to Gerrard's backline.

The 32-year-old is seeking more minutes and Villa are after defensive cover, so this definitely sounds like a move which would suit both parties.