Kaio Jorge (C) of Cruzeiro (Image: Getty Images)

Aston Villa have stepped up their interest in two hot prospects making waves in the Brazilian League.

That's according to Globo Esporte who claim Villa scouts watched the pair in the flesh on Wednesday evening as Grêmio hosted Cruzeiro.

The report says they were in the VIP boxes to see Cruzeiro's Kaio Jorge and Grêmio's Alysson, both forwards and both highly rated, having watched them for 'several months'.

With 17 goals in 29 games so far this season Kaio Jorge is the joint top scorer in Brazil's Série A, he has also provided seven assists. He didn't score against Gremio but played 79 minutes in a 1-0 away win as Cruzeiro moved up to third.

The 23-year-old has been with the Belo Horizonte-based outfit since spending three years - but failing to make the breakthrough - at Juventus. He moved to Turin having come through at Santos as a youngster.

Since then he has scored 29 times in just 63 games and is under contract until 2029, it is reported Cruzeiro value the striker at €25million...