Aston Villa find themselves in a position where they can compete with one of the biggest club’s in world football in the transfer market.

That is testament to the job being done by manager Unai Emery, as well as the work behind the scenes by the likes of president of football operations, Monchi.

Villa are currently fourth in the Premier League and firmly in the driving seat to secure Champions League football in what is looking likely to be a historic season.

To add to that, they have a real opportunity to make their mark in Europe, with a Europa Conference League semi-final against Olympiacos all that stands between them and a final in Athens.

It is also a season in which individual history is being made, with striker Ollie Watkins on 19 Premier League goals and 12 assists.

Villa cannot stand still, though, and Emery will be determined to continue the progress next season.

With that in mind, the midlands club have been linked with an elite striker to carry some of Watkins’ goalscoring burden next season.

Currently, the only real alternative to Watkins is 20-year-old centre forward Jhon Duran.

The Colombian is a talent and has scored three goals in the league this season, but is very raw and is not ready to step up long-term should anything happen to Villa’s talisman.

Now, reports in Italy suggest that the Villa Park club are eyeing up a move for a striker who could help take them to the next level.

According to Tutto Mercato Web, Lille striker Jonathan David is a player they hold firm interest in.

The publication reported: “Above all, Aston Villa is following David’s trail.”

“The club coached by Unai Emery, close to qualifying for the next Champions League, is looking for a top centre forward for next season and the Canadian footballer is a concrete target for the summer.”

Whilst they may be leading the race, David is not short of potential suitors with interest from the likes of AC Milan and Napoli in Italy.

Perhaps more worryingly, given the report suggests the Premier League is David’s most likely destination, is the fact that Manchester United are also interested.

Whilst the Red Devils have not been competing with Europe’s elite clubs on the pitch for a while, their history means they will always be an attractive proposition for a player making the move to England.

Should Villa secure Champions League qualification this will be a huge positive in their pursuit of the Canadian striker.

With just one year left on his contract and no intention of singing new terms at Lille, David will leave the club this summer and Tutto Mercato Web suggest a fee of €35 million will be enough to sign the 24-year-old.

How good is Lille striker David?

Villa have, of course, faced David this season.

The former Gent striker played in both legs of the Villans’ Europe Conference League quarter-final triumph over Lille.

The forward was unable to find the back of the net across the two-legged affair, but did score his penalty in the controversial shoot-out in which Emi Martinez picked up a second booking of the game but escaped a red card due to a strange rule.

David was a player Villa were wary of ahead of the game, with defender Pau Torres saying: “He has power, speed, he’s a really good player.”

The concerns were with good reason too, as only Kylian Mbappe has scored more goals than David’s 17 league strikes this season.

According to Transfermarkt, the Lille man has scored 24 goals in all competitions this season and provided eight assists.

Across his career, David already has 119 club goals, as well as 26 in 46 international games for Canada.

This is a deal that should excite Villa fans who are already revelling in the performances of one striker in Watkins this season.

Next season, they could find themselves spoilt for choice up front, with two potent marksman able to lead the attack.

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