Crystal Palace could’ve been lining up against one of their summer signing’s this Saturday had things turned out differently.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith admitted he’d earmarked Gary Cahill as a target during the transfer window.

Smith, then in the Championship with the villains, touted the 33-year-old as a potential signing should the Villains gain promotion, which hey ultimately achieved.

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Cahill however, signed for Roy Hodgson’s outfit penning a two year deal with the Selhurst Park club.

“Gary Cahill was a player discussed last January and at the end of the season,” Smith told the Birmingham Mail.

“It was just one we didn’t end up going for and, instead, ended up with Ezri Konsa and Bjorn Engels.”

It’s unsure if Villa made an official approach for their former player, but one would assume there would’ve been a draw back to the midlands, specifically with former team mate and England captain John Terry in Smith’s dugout.

Villa also added the permanent signing of Tyrone Mings to their defence, a move which earned the former Bournemouth man an England call-up after three league fixtures.

The young trio may have age on their side when comparing them to former Bolton and Chelsea man Cahill, but the Palace centre half has proved his value already this season as he produced a stand out performance in the Eagles historic 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford last time out.

The side's meet with Palace in 10th place after a mixed start to the season, whilst Villa registered their first win of the campaign to go 16th.