According to reports in the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are set to make a formal approach for Carl Jenkinson’s services until the end of the current campaign.

The 24-year-old right-back played two of our Champions League group stage games in November, against Ludogorets and PSG in successive matchdays. A solid defensive display away against Manchester United represented his first Premier League start of the season but he hasn’t appeared in any of the three matchday squads since.

Having been substituted during a 2-0 EFL Cup defeat at the hands of Southampton, plenty of questions were asked about Jenkinson’s suitability to a first-team role for the foreseeable future. Regular minutes given Hector Bellerín’s return seem highly unlikely now, so a loan move out of the spotlight could do him a world of good as he aims to build his confidence back up.

Southampton's English defender Ryan Bertrand (C) vies with Arsenal's English defender Carl Jenkinson during the EFL (English Football League) Cup quarter-final football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 30, 2016. / AFP / Adrian DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Southampton’s English defender Ryan Bertrand (C) vies with Arsenal’s English defender Carl Jenkinson (R) during the EFL Cup quarter-final football match at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 30, 2016. (Picture source: Adrian Dennis / AFP / Getty Images)

The full-back, who was consistently solid when called upon at West Ham on loan before his serious injury, could add much-needed experience to a Villa backline that looks strong on paper but have drawn 10 league matches this term – more than any other club in the division.

Leandro Bacuna is being tested in a more attack-minded role further forward, whilst Alan Hutton is likely to drop down into a second-choice role in the position in favour of Jenkinson should Steve Bruce opt to try and sign the right-back for the remainder of the season.

READING, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Alan Hutton of Aston Villa clears the ball as Roy Beerens of Reading during the Sky Bet Championship match between Reading and Aston Villa at Madejski Stadium on October 18, 2016 in Reading, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
READING, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Alan Hutton of Aston Villa clears the ball as Roy Beerens of Reading advances during the Sky Bet Championship match at Madejski Stadium on October 18, 2016 in Reading, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Villa are aiming to return to England’s top-flight at the first time of asking, and there’s no doubt that Jenkinson could help add defensive stability for a side that are struggling to close out matches in their pursuit of promotion this season.