Aston Villa are reported to be interested in Barnsley centre-back Liam Lindsay according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon in the Sun (via HITC) and the move could shore up the defence that will see them miss out on promotion this season.

They currently sit in 13^th, eight points away from the play-off places, but it’s their goal difference that really tells the story of where they’re falling behind. They've conceded 53 goals so far this season and only 22^nd placed Rotherham and bottom-of-the-table Ipswich have conceded more. That’s not good enough for a side looking to return to the Premier League.

Barnsley are second in League One and have conceded just 28 goals this season, the least in the league and it’s no secret Liam Lindsay has been key to keeping his side tight at the back. He’s made 31 appearances this campaign and 42 times last season despite The Tykes being relegated. He’s a well-established 23-year-old who now looks ready to make the step up.

Villa’s history and size as a club should be an attractive prospect for the Scotsman, who'll know that he’s exactly what they need to force a promotion push. He wouldn’t have any trouble breaking into the first team and so this is a rare opportunity for a lad in the third division to join one the biggest clubs in the country.

Although clubs like Villa can get stuck in the Championship (look at Leeds), there’s a major chance they'll return to the Premier League in the next five seasons and that could be how Lindsey reaches the top rather than having to deal with the pressure of a transfer to a top-flight side. It makes sense for him and it makes sense for Villa.

If they can snatch him from Barnsley in the summer, they could plug their defensive hole and be pushing for promotion next season. That’d make Lindsey one of the best signings in the club’s history.

You do you think Aston Villa needs to sign for begin their push for promotion?