Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is looking to add to his striking options and reports this morning suggest he is targeting Manchester United's Alan Smith and Freddy Eastwood of Southend.

Villa are the latest Premiership club on the trail of £2million-rated Eastwood while O'Neill is also reported to be interested in Smith.

O'Neill had the 23-year-old Eastwood watched during the Shrimpers' recent 3-1 defeat at Wolves.

Villa have money to spend after Randy Lerner's takeover, but may struggle to land their targets.

Smith has expressed his desire to stay and fight for a first-team place at Old Trafford after recovering from a broken leg, while Southend boss Steve Tilson reiterated his intent to hang on to Eastwood after his Carling Cup heroics against Manchester United.

O'Neill will also face competition for both players.

West Ham boss Alan Pardew has sent scouts to watch Eastwood, while a host of Premiership and Championship clubs have expressed interest in taking Smith on loan.