Aston Villa have reportedly entered the race to sign Burnley striker Charlie Austin.

The 23-year-old has been widely tipped to leave Turf Moor this summer following the club's failure to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Villa manager Paul Lambert is an admirer of Austin, having watched him in action this season, according to the Express & Star.

However, the report went on to claim that the Birmingham-based club will face competition from Sunderland for the former Swindon Town centre-forward's services.

Austin has scored 45 goals in 90 appearances for the Clarets.