Aston Villa are ready to rival Sheffield Wednesday by making a formal bid of around £1million for Barnsley captain Conor Hourihane.
The midfielder is attracting attention from a number of clubs as his contract runs out in the summer and Steve Bruce is an admirer after working with him at Sunderland.
Bruce is determined to raise the quality of his side in the January transfer window to mount a challenge for the play-offs and has a number of 'irons in the fire'.
Hourihane is enjoying his best season at the age of 25, playing a major role in Barnsley's surprise run into the Championship top-eight by scoring five goals, and Bruce is ready to back up his interest with an offer.