Unai Emery is ready to use Nicolo Zaniolo as an emergency striker should Villa lose Ollie Watkins to injury.
Top scorer Watkins is currently the club’s only fit striker with Jhon Duran facing up to two months out with a hamstring problem.
The club will not recruit another before Thursday’s transfer deadline, though they remain hopeful of securing a deal for Middlesbrough attacker Morgan Rogers.
Watkins has flourished under Emery’s guidance and has started every Premier League match this season, scoring 14 goals in all competitions.
But the lack of cover is a concern, with the club still battling on three fronts as they hunt a first trophy since 1996.
Emery, however, has confidence in his resources and has identified Zaniolo as a striker option if required.
The Italy international has scored only twice since joining on a season-long loan from Galatasaray last summer and has endured a difficult time off the field, having been interviewed by police investigating a betting scandal back in his homeland. But Emery believes the 24-year-old’s head is now clear to concentrate on the task at hand.
