BURNLEY would not welcome an approach for striker Jay Rodriguez amid reported interest from Aston Villa.

The Athletic say Villa see the 30-year-old as a possible replacement for big-money signing Wesley who has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury at Turf Moor on New Year's Day.

Rodriguez only returned to his hometown club in a £10 million deal in the summer and has scored six goals.

Just seven of his 23 appearances have come from the start but Villa's interest comes at a time when Rodriguez looks set for a run in the side.

Having impressed off the bench in recent weeks the former West Bromwich Albion man scored twice in the 4-2 FA Cup third round win over Peterborough on Saturday.

Ashley Barnes, who along with Chris Wood has formed Sean Dyche's first-choice strike partnership, is also still struggling with a groin injury that has troubled him in recent weeks.

That means Rodriguez is a likely starter when the Clarets head to Chelsea on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after three straight defeats over the Christmas and New Year period.

The frontman is not the first Burnley player to be linked with Villa during the early stages of the transfer window, Joe Hart reportedly being considered as an option after former Claret Tom Heaton was ruled out for the season after being injured on his return to East Lancashire as, along with Wesley, Villa lost two key players on the same day.

That means they are set to be active in the window, boss Dean Smith having already snapped up Danny Drinkwater on loan from Chelsea.

The midfielder made just two appearances for Burnley after spending the first half of the season at Turf Moor and is looking to reignite his career.