Aston Villa will ‘probably have the jump’ over their rivals for Burnley defender Nathan Collins, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The highly-rated 21-year-old has been linked with a move to several Premier League clubs in recent weeks after impressing last term despite suffering relegation.

What is the latest news involving Collins?

TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has recently claimed that Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Villa are all ‘monitoring’ Collins’ situation at Turf Moor.

It’s believed that new Burnley boss Vincent Kompany is eager to build his team around the Republic of Ireland international following the exits of experienced duo James Tarkowski and Ben Mee.

However, with the offer of top-flight football potentially on the table, Kompany may find it difficult to keep hold of the towering centre-back.

Villa have already brought in Diego Carlos to bolster their backline this summer, yet with Ezri Konsa sidelined with a serious injury and doubts lingering over Tyrone Mings’s future, Collins could be on Steven Gerrard’s radar.

What has Jones said about Collins?

When asked by GiveMeSport if he can envisage Collins making a swift return to the Premier League with another of his potential suitors, Jones revealed that he reckons it’s Villa who will be in pole position for his signature.

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He told GMS: “I think he's definitely a good option for teams with that profile, and I think that Villa will probably have the jump on them in terms of, if they wanted to get him, I think that they would have the best chance of doing so.

“Again, because of Steven Gerrard, but also just because of where the club are heading. So yeah, a really good player that is on the market.”

Would Collins be a good signing?

Collins only arrived at Burnley from Stoke City last June via a £12 million deal and initially struggled to dislodge the tried and tested partnership of Mee and Tarkowski.

Nevertheless, when Mee took up a coaching role in the second half of the season, the 6 foot 4 giant, who has been described as a 'brick wall', seized his chance, starting 13 of the Clarets' final 14 top-flight fixtures.

As per FBref, Collins ranked in the 98th percentile for blocks, the 97th for aerial duels won, the 89th for non-penalty goals, and the 85^th for clearances amongst fellow central defenders over the last 12 months.

His potential arrival at Villa Park could prove to be an astute piece of business, therefore, and Gerrard may be wise to snap him up ahead of the competition.