ASTON VILLA are lining up a swoop for 16-goal Brentford striker Neal Maupay.

The Frenchman, 22, would be an ideal replacement for Tammy Abraham, who has been on loan at Villa from Chelsea this season, but is set to join Premier League side Wolves.

3 Neal Maupay could be on his way to Aston Villa this month Credit: Getty

Former Bees boss Dean Smith, now in charge at the Midlands club, took Maupay to Griffin Park from Saint-Etienne in the summer of 2017.

The fee then was around £2million, but Villa could expect to pay at least three times that to Championship rivals Brentford, who are experts at getting top dollar for their players.

The London club banked £7m last week when midfielder Ryan Woods, signed from Shrewsbury for £1m, made his move to Stoke permanent.

Frenchman Maupay has scored 15 of Brentford’s 36 Championship goals this season, and cracked a late winner from the penalty spot in Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup third-round victory over Oxford.

3 Neal Maupay scored in the FA Cup win over Oxford yesterday Credit: Getty

Bees boss Thomas Frank admitted there was no guarantee that he could keep his top scorer.

The Dane said: “We hope he stays here for a long, long time. But with good players, we never ever know what happens with them.”

Meanwhile, Wolves have accepted a bid from Aston Villa for Kortney Hause.

The 23-year-old centre-back will now complete a move to Villa Park when he undergoes a medical and negotiates personal terms.

3 Neal Maupay could reunite with former Brentford boss Dean Smith Credit: PA:Empics Sport