Villa eye Boro swoop

Williams: Good form for Middlesbrough this season

Skysports.com understands Aston Villa are looking to make a deadline day swoop for Middlesbrough's Rhys Williams.

Villa boss Alex McLeish is looking for defensive options following Luke Young's move to Queens Park Rangers.

Now Australia international Williams has emerged as a target after he made an excellent start to the Championship season with Boro.

Williams, who is currently playing in central midfield for Tony Mowbray's men, is also at home in central defence or right-back, so would represent a hugely versatile option for McLeish.

Boro, though, are looking for Williams to sign a new deal and would look to rebuff any offers, although they realise that every player has a price.

The 23-year-old, who is a graduate of Boro's famed academy, has two years left on his current deal and has already attracted attention from a number of Premier League clubs this summer including Bolton.