Aston Villa interested in Patrick Bamford?

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford.

The 21-year-old is currently on loan to Championship side Middlesbrough, where he has scored 16 goals this season.

Bamford has not made a first-team appearance for Chelsea since they signed him from Nottingham Forest in 2012.

The England Under-21 international has been loaned out to MK Dons, Derby County and now Boro, scoring 42 goals in the process.

Bamford's form is thought to have alerted several Premier League clubs, with Villa sending a scout to a recent Boro game to check on his progress, according to Clubcall.com.

Bamford claimed last month that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has made no plans for his future at Stamford Bridge.