Last Updated: Wed, 31 Oct 2012 12:43
Villa boss Paul Lambert is looking at Porto's Abdoulaye Ba to potentially solve a short-term centre-back crisis at the club.
Villa are weighing up a loan move for the 6ft 6in Senegal defender in the wake of injuries to Ciaran Clark and Richard Dunne.
Lambert named only one recognised centre back in his starting line-up at Swindon last night and almost paid the price as the League One club fought back from two goals down before Christian Benteke's last-gasp winner.
Ba has not played for Porto this season but was a rock at the back for Academica - where he spent last term on loan - helping the students' win the Portuguese Cup.
But he made a bigger impression on Villa scouts at the Olympic Games, where he impressed in a 1-1 draw with Great Britain before getting sent off in a 2-0 win over Uruguay.
The 21-year-old has been a target for West Ham manager Sam Allardyce but ran into problems securing a work permit.
Have you an opinion on this story? Put your money where your mouth is and claim a free £25 bet.
