Aston Villa are keeping tabs on Nurnberg midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake.

The Birmingham Mail says Villa have targeted Japanese international Hiroshi Kiyotake as Paul Lambert looks to add an attacking midfielder to his growing roster of overseas starlets.

There has been contact between the claret and blues and Kiyotake's club Nuremberg but, despite reports of a bid, Villa are yet to make an offer for the 23-year-old.

Lambert still keeps a close eye on Bundesliga football through his German contacts and has received glowing recommendations about Kiyotake, who is rated at around £7 million.