Aston Vila having just missed out on promotion last season are now determined to best prepare their team so a valiant effort can be made by Steve Bruce and his team. 

After publicly supporting Steve Bruce, now is the time to put money where their mouth is as the Villans, as of yet, are yet to sign a single player and that is concerning for the fans.

Having done all that hard work to get them to the play-off final last year, the least the owners could do once more is free up enough funds for a goalscorer to ensure Villa have significant power in the striking department. Someone like Watford's Stefano Okaka could be a brilliant addition and seeing as his valuation is marked at £4.5 million on Transfermarkt, he is also an affordable target for the Villans.

The 28-year-old Italian has failed to make his mark with Watford and consequently, this could be the window where he finally explores other options instead. Okaka is certainly a presence in the box and the Championship would on paper be the perfect place for him to be in that respect.

Although his Premier League goal-scoring record is far from eye-catching (7 goals in 45 appearances), Okaka's frame and physical strength fulfil the Championship criteria perfectly and if they push hard enough for his signature, Villa could be getting a tough striker who could boss the second division.

With Jack Grealish a player linked with a Villa Park exit all summer long, his departure could free up the necessary funds to bag Okaka and bring competition to the forward line.

Do you agree that Okaka could be a different player in the Championship... Let us know!