According to the Birmingham Mail, Steve Bruce has identified Southampton striker Shane Long as a potential solution to the ongoing striker crisis at Villa Park.

Jonathan Kodjia has started the club’s first three Championship matches up top, with academy graduate Rushian Hepburn-Murphy getting the nod from Steve Bruce in the Carabao Cup win over Yeovil.

But with injuries a problem for Bruce, the Birmingham Mail reports that he is desperate to sign another striker before the loan window shuts on August 31. The same publication reports that Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham is his number one target, with Shane Long also being considered.

Mark Hughes left the 31-year-old Irishman out of the Saints squad on the opening day of the season before giving him 30 minutes as a substitute against Everton.

Villa fans on Twitter were buzzing with the rumours and were urging the club and Bruce to sign him. Check out some of the best reactions from fans below.

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