Josh Risdon can be Alan Hutton's long-term replacement at Aston Villa

By Jay Williams

Aston Villa have two Australian players on their radar ahead of the January transfer window.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Aston Villa are chasing right-back Josh Risdon and central midfielder Brandon O’Neill.

Risdon, who currently plays for Western Sydney Wanderers, could be the long-term solution for Aston Villa in the right-back department.

Alan Hutton is now 34 and the veteran defender is not getting any younger.

Aston Villa fans would have hoped for James Bree to be pushing Hutton for a start by now but the ex-Barnsley man continues to struggle.

And Dean Smith might be losing patience with Bree as he eyes Risdon as a potential alternative right-back for the future.

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

The 13-cap Australia international is in the process of applying for a Croatian passport, which would make moving to England easier for him due to work permit regulations.

Risdon is an experienced player in the A-League but needs to move to Europe to further his career.

The 26-year-old played over 150 games for Perth Glory before his 2017 switch to Western Sydney Wanderers and now he needs to test himself abroad.

Hutton is coming towards the end of his career and the Villans need to start planning ahead for the future.

Risdon could become the Scotsman’s replacement at Villa Park if he can adapt to English football.