Aston Villa are ‘genuinely’ looking at both Jan Bednarek and Abdou Diallo to solve their defensive woes, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Southampton and Paris Saint-Germain duo are known to be on Steven Gerrard’s radar as he searches for Diego Carlos’ replacement after he picked up a long-term injury.

What is the latest news involving Villa?

Villa bolstered their centre-back options as recently as June with the acquisition of Carlos from Sevilla in a £26 million deal, but he ruptured his Achilles tendon against Everton in just his second appearance for the club.

That means the Brazil international is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and Gerrard has already begun the search for someone capable of filling the substantial void.

TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook has reported that Villa Park is ‘now looking most likely destination’ for Bednarek, who also attracted attention from West Ham after falling down the pecking order at Southampton.

Meanwhile, French news outlet Le Parisien, the Villans have been offered the chance to sign Diallo, who has two years remaining on his £92,000-per-week contract, from PSG.

It’s claimed the Senegal international is available for £8.4m this summer and despite talks not starting yet between the two clubs, he would be keen for a move to the Premier League outfit.

What has Jones said about Bednarek and Diallo?

Jones believes that both Bednarek and Diallo are candidates who are on Villa’s radar at this moment in time and that the PSG ace is the ‘better player’.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “Both are linked, and I think both are genuinely being looked at.

“Diallo is a better player in my eyes, but then there is the fact that Bednarek might need less adaptation time in England, so might fit in more quickly.”

How good are Bednarek and Diallo?

Bednarek, who earns £60,000-per-week, made 30 appearances in the top-flight for the Saints last season, scoring four goals. And his underlying numbers were equally as eye-catching.

The Poland international won 2.9 aerial duels, only Mohammed Salisu won more, while also making 2.3 interceptions, 4.5 clearances, and 0.9 blocks per league game, as per WhoScored, tallies which none of his teammates could better.

Meanwhile, Diallo found his game time extremely limited at the Parc des Princes last term, starting just 10 Ligue 1 fixtures.

Yet the 26-year-old has shown his quality throughout his career with PSG, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco, and could prove to be an astute acquisition by Aston Villa.