Aston Villa targeting loan deal for Chelsea's Loic Remy

Aston Villa manager Remi Garde has revealed that Loic Remy is among numerous players he's looking to bring in during the January transfer window.

Despite Chelsea's struggles this term, Remy continues to be a peripheral member of the squad and is believed to be available on a loan basis. Garde is familiar with the striker from serving as assistant manager at Lyon when Remy began to make his strides in professional football.

"Loic is special because he knows the country and the league and he would be an interesting player for the team," Garde told BBC Sport. "He is part of some players I'll try to attract to Aston Villa for sure."

Villa sits bottom of the table and 11 points adrift of safety at the halfway point, with 15 goals over 19 league games. Remy, 28, who was signed from Queens Park Rangers for £10.5 million in August 2014 after scoring 14 in 24 starts in the previous campaign for Newcastle, would bring some much-needed firepower to the Villains.

Another player rumoured with a move to Birmingham is Tottenham's out-of-favour winger Andros Townsend, but the club could face competition from Watford, West Brom, and Newcastle.

Aston Villa is next in action on Jan. 2, when it makes the trip to another relegation threatened outfit in Sunderland.