Portsmouth targeted the player earlier in the summer but were told by Villa boss Alex McLeish that Herd was in his plans for the forthcoming season.
However, Grayson is keen to add the player to his squad and will offer to pay his wages in full, something Pompey were unable to do.
The 22-year-old Australian midfielder has made six first-team appearances during his Villa career.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 16 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 28 | 12 | 16 | 32 |
| 2 | Sunderland | 16 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 26 | 12 | 14 | 32 |
| 3 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 9 | 12 | 32 |
| 4 | Burnley | 16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 19 | 6 | 13 | 30 |
| 5 | Middlesbrough | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 19 | 10 | 27 |
| 6 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 16 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 26 |
| 7 | Watford | 16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 25 | 24 | 1 | 26 |
| 8 | Millwall | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 24 |
| 9 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 22 |
| 10 | Bristol City | 16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 22 |
| 11 | Derby CountyDerby | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 12 | Stoke CityStoke | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 19 | 20 | -1 | 20 |
| 13 | Norwich CityNorwich | 16 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 25 | 24 | 1 | 19 |
| 14 | Swansea CitySwansea | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 19 |
| 15 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 19 |
| 16 | Luton TownLuton | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 18 |
| 17 | Coventry CityCoventry | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 22 | 23 | -1 | 17 |
| 18 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 19 | 24 | -5 | 17 |
| 19 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 28 | -11 | 17 |
| 20 | Preston North EndPreston | 16 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 16 | 24 | -8 | 16 |
| 21 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 24 | -9 | 16 |
| 22 | Hull City | 16 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 21 | -5 | 15 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | 15 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 28 | -12 | 12 |
| 24 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 16 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 26 | -13 | 11 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
