Aston Villa have joined the race for former Chelsea youngster Matthew Cox, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Heaton set for exit

According to The Telegraph, Villa shot-stopper Tom Heaton is set to join Manchester United on a free transfer.

The 35-year-old’s Villa Park deal expires this summer, and it is believed he will return to Old Trafford to provide competition to Dean Henderson and David de Gea.

Should Heaton’s move go through, that will leave Dean Smith with Emiliano Martinez and Jed Steer as senior options.

The Latest: Villa and Everton watch Cox in action

According to Football Insider, who have been informed by a recruitment source, both Villa and Everton are now in the hunt for Cox, currently on the books of AFC Wimbledon.

The 18-year-old, also linked with Manchester United, has been watched by Villa at youth level, with the club leaving impressed with the shot-stopper.

Cox, who only just turned 18, was on the books at Chelsea as a youngster before moving to Wimbledon as a teenager.

He’s yet to make his senior debut, but it seems as if Villa like what they see in the goalkeeper.

The Verdict: Future competition for Martinez?

Villa have European teenagers Viljami Sinisalo and Akos Onodi as options in goal for the club’s Under-23 side.

However, with Villa looking at Cox, that may spell trouble for the pair in their hopes of breaking into Smith’s first-team squad.

Cox, should he move to the Midlands and continue to flourish, could end up providing competition for Martinez over years to come. It’s a long shot, but it’s good to see Villa looking at adding to their youth ranks.

In other news: Many AVFC fans react to club's interest in Premier League midfielder, find out more here.