Aston Villa are on the hunt to strengthen their unlikely Premier League title charge.

Unai Emery's side are reportedly keen on signing Hellas Verona forward Cyril Ngonge.

The 23-year-old has already scored five goals and provided two assists in Serie A this term.

As Villa prepare to face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, we analyse what Ngonge could bring to Emery's high-flying outfit.

Versatile talent

Ngonge is an attack-minded player who can play in a variety of different roles. 

He has operated as both a second striker and a winger for Verona this season but still remains their top scorer ahead of Bosnian centre forward Milan Djuric (four goals).

The Belgian flyer hit the mainstream media last month with his stunning bicycle kick goal against Udinese, a display of his undoubted natural ability. 

Ngonge is a direct threat in possession, completing the most take-ons in the Verona ranks this term (26).

He only joined Verona as a free agent from FC Groningen in January 2023 but was their joint-top scorer last term (five goals), despite joining halfway through the campaign.

Marco Baroni's side are flirting dangerously with relegation this season so they are relying on Ngonge's contributions in order to remain in the top flight. 

However, the 23-year-old could also thrive in a Villa side loaded with quality in all departments.

Accepting defeat

Verona sporting director Sean Sogliano has already hinted at the sale of Ngonge in January.

Speaking before the transfer window opened, the 52-year-old admitted: "He's [Ngonge] an important player, every match is an exam and it will be increasingly difficult. 

"We all know what the situation of our club is, we want to save ourselves but also looking at the administrative point of view, to the needs that exist. 

"We have to think about scoring as many points as possible until the transfer window, then we'll see what happens." 

Looking forward

The Villans have conducted some superb transfer business with clubs outside England in recent times, acquiring the likes of Pau Torres, Leon Bailey, Diego Carlos, Boubacar Kamara and Moussa Diaby.

This excellent recruitment has given Emery a squad capable of fighting for the Europa Conference League while putting up an unlikely title charge in the Premier League. 

But despite possessing a strong starting XI, Villa understandably want to dip into the transfer market to bulk up their ranks for the business end of the campaign.

Additional depth would help provide cover if they get into the latter stages of the Conference League, which would make the schedule very demanding.

For the meantime, Villa travel to Middlesbrough in the third round of the FA Cup — another competition Emery will certainly believe he can bring home.