Aston Villa are battling AC Milan for SC Heerenveen striker Alfred Finnbogason.

The Daily Star Sunday says Villa boss Lambert has been given glowing scouting reports on the Iceland international who has taken Dutch football by storm this season.

And he has been given the all-clear by owner Randy Lerner to strengthen his squad when the January transfer window opens with Finnbogason, 23, on his wanted list.

But AC Milan plan to use their long-standing association with Heerenveen boss and former San Siro striker Marco van Basten to lure Finnbogason to Serie A.