Aston Villa could see Genk striker Paul Onuachu as a potential transfer target as Unai Emery looks to make his mark, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Villa in need of a striker

The Villans have had a hit-and-miss season to date, with Steven Gerrard replaced by Emery, who is now looking to guide them up the Premier League table.

Villa have struggled to set the world alight in attack, with the likes of Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins not at their best and the former topping the club's scoring charts with only five goals from 14 league games.

Genk star Onuachu has been linked with a move to the club in recent weeks, and it is a rumour which isn't going away.

The Latest: Onuachu could be a target

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that, while there is no concrete interest in the Genk predator, a move to Villa is a possibility and would show that Emery is taking a different approach to his predecessors.

Jones stated of the Onuachu rumours:

"For now I’m putting it down to agent talk, paper talk, whichever way you want to put it, but if they seriously are looking at this, it just goes to show that they are looking at a different type of threat."

The Verdict: Something different

At 6 foot 8, Onuachu would certainly provide something different in Villa's attack, using his towering frame to good use and linking up well with those around him.

The 28-year-old has scored an incredible 13 goals in just 10 starts in the Jupiler Pro League this season, showing that he is far more than just a target man.

Whether or not Villa move for Onuachu remains to be seen but he could be an intriguing option who would add a new dimension to their attack - his current deal expires in 2024, so Genk may want to cash in prior to them rather than risk losing him for free in 18 months' time.