Joe Aribo could add a 'creative' spark to Aston Villa's midfield if he follows Steven Gerrard to the Midlands, according to the club's former striker Frank McAvennie. 

The lowdown

Gerrard last week departed Rangers to take up the manager's role at Villa Park following the sacking of Dean Smith.

Aribo had been a key player under the 41-year-old at Ibrox, starting all of their Premiership and Europa League matches so far this season. Football Insider reported last month that Rangers were braced for January interest in the midfielder and had set a price tag of at least £10m.

Aribo has averaged 1.8 shots, 1.8 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per league game up to this point in the campaign (via WhoScored). For context, Aston Villa's most frequent creator is Emiliano Buendia with 1.7 key passes per 90.

The latest

McAvennie identified Aribo as a prime candidate to reunite with Gerrard south of the border, believing that the 25-year-old could address a key weakness in Villa's squad for a 'relatively cheap' amount.

The Scot told Football Insider: "I would be very surprised if Gerrard didn't sign at least one player from Rangers. I look at that squad and see a few players who could do it. Joe Aribo stands out to me.

"He's young enough and has the talent to go down there and do well. £10million is it for him? That’s a good deal.

"Aribo could add that spark to the Villa midfield. They have a lot of quality players but they are struggling to create.

"I would imagine Aribo will be a relatively cheap signing Gerrard could get over the line.

"He could definitely follow Gerrard and it would be a brilliant move for him."

The verdict

Aribo would also surely win the endorsement of Villa defender Ezri Konsa, a one-time team-mate at Charlton Athletic who has previously compared him to former Manchester City and Barcelona star Yaya Toure and labelled him 'unreal'.

If Gerrard coaxes a significant improvement out of Buendia, perhaps the need to sign a player like Aribo will be diminished. However, let's not forget that the Nigerian has contributed to 21 goals since the start of last season, so it may be worth Villa's while keeping an eye on him before January rolls around.

In other news, this transfer update made plenty of Villa fans excited