Alex McLeish is remaining coy on the prospect of a loan deal for Josh McEachran but has a lot of admiration for the young Chelsea midfielder.
McLeish has confirmed that he is considering a number of options for the January transfer window, and it is thought that a new midfielder is the priority.
Having lost on-loan Tottenham man Jermaine Jenas to injury, there is not so much competition for places in the center of the field.
McEachran could be the answer to Villa's problems, as McLeish understands Chelsea are now ready to send him out on loan.
The Blues had held on to the 18-year-old in the summer but he has not been granted many opportunities to impress in Andre Villas-Boas' side.
"There is no movement at the moment," McLeish told the Express & Star when asked about his interest in McEachran.
"We are thinking about trying to add to the squad and it is probably not fair for me to talk about players at other clubs while there is no business being done.
"He (McEachran) is one of their hottest prospects. I think they are thinking about loaning him, yes.
"At the start of the season they weren't, but the word is they are thinking about it.
"But I don't want to say yes about anything because I am juggling a few balls."
