Lovre Kalinic sets his sights on the top flight with Aston Villa

The Croatia international goalkeeper officially completed a £5.4million move from Gent on New Year’s Day and could make his debut in Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie with Swansea.

Kalinic, who came close to joining Villa three years ago, is eager to help Dean Smith’s team climb the Championship table.

He said: “I am very impressed because I feel this is one of the biggest clubs in England. There are many good things.

“It is not good because we are in the Championship but you have to be positive and try to reach the play-offs. I hope next season we will play in the Premier League. I’m excited.

“From what I have seen in games and training the players are really focused on the job, 100 per cent. I think together we can achieve big things.”

Wolves defender Kortney Hause remains on course to become Villa’s second signing of the window, with the rival clubs having held advanced talks.

Reports in Spain have also linked Smith with a move for Levante’s Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Doukoure.

A number of attacking targets are also being monitored, should Tammy Abraham depart this month.

Villa remain hopeful of keeping Abraham despite interest from Wolves, yet they are powerless to prevent Chelsea recalling the 16-goal striker and moving him on and must have a contingency plan in place.

Abraham currently holds the best goals-to-games ratio of any striker in the Villa’s history over his first 20 appearances for the club.