Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is targeting a summer move for Schalke 04 midfielder Jermaine Jones.
The German-born USA international spent the second half of last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers and impressed during 15 starts.
Villa have been short of midfield options this term, after loan-signing Jermaine Jenas lasted only two hours of playing time before being ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles.
The Scot is keen on bolstering his central options ahead of next season and sees Jones as an ideal option, according to The Mirror.
