Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has admitted that he will "have to be a bit creative" in his attempt to bring in striking cover during the January transfer window.

The Villans are short of options up top after losing Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan to injury, leaving youngster Keinan Davis with plenty of weight on his shoulders.

Bruce concedes that Financial Fair Play constraints will make his task all the more difficult, however, as his transfer budget for the second half of the campaign is essentially empty.

"You would love to be in a position where you can go and target a centre-forward with millions to spend but we haven't got that luxury," he told Sky Sports News. "We'll have to be a bit creative and see if anyone out there can give us a hand. I still think we are under the situation of FFP.

"We know how difficult it has been. That's been the case for the last two transfer windows. It's difficult but we've managed to cope with it. We've got good players in the squad here and that's the most important thing."

Villa head to Leeds United on Friday night, aiming to pick up a fourth win in a row and climb up to third place in the Championship table.