Aston Villa are targeting Dundee Utd defender Kerr Smith.

The Daily Mail says United also face a battle to hold on to 17-year-old academy graduate Smith.

Aston Villa are in advanced talks over signing the teenage defender.

While no transfer fee has yet been agreed between the clubs, the Midlands outfit are prepared to dig deep to land the highly-rated player.

Born in Montrose, the Tannadice prospect made his debut for the club against Rangers last February just a few weeks after his 16th birthday.

Tracked by a string of big-name clubs south of the border, Smith has spent time training with Manchester United and Everton as well as Villa over the past year.

The Birmingham-based club have now jumped to the front of the queue, with former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard believing Smith can cut it at the very highest level.