We're delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he'll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park...

Alan Hutton wants Aston Villa to sign a new striker in the January transfer window in case anything happens to Ollie Watkins.

The 27-year-old striker has been in superb form this season. However, he's having to start in both the Premier League and the Europa Conference League due to Jhon Duran's recent injury issues.

Duran, 19, is a highly-rated talent but he's also not played many games from the start for the Villans so it's unclear whether or not he's at the level to spearhead the attack every week.

Hutton admits that Duran hasn't had the chance to do that yet but if anything was to happen to Watkins, Unai Emery needs a more reliable option to replace the England international up front.

"Ollie Watkins is taking a lot of the load and a lot of the pressure up there," Hutton told Villa News.

"I know there are a lot of people who can contribute around him but if anything was to happen to him like an injury or a loss of form - touch wood it doesn't - Duran will be there.

"He provides competition but he's still very young and he's still very raw.

"Is he capable of playing in the Premier League every week? I'm not so sure yet but then again, he's not had that run of games for us to see.

"It would be good if Villa were to target another striker to come in and lighten that load for them."

In other Aston Villa news, a PS50million transfer claim has been made about Douglas Luiz amid recent speculation.

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Douglas Luiz to exit Aston Villa for 'astronomical' fee as fresh exit speculation emerges in transfer market