Malky Mackay has finally got his man after revealing he has been tracking Aston Villa striker Andreas Weimann for the last nine months.

The Hornets signed Weimann on loan until the end of the season and Mackay confirmed he had hoped to sign the striker in the summer.

Speaking to the Watford Observer this afternoon, Mackay said: “Andreas is someone that I have been tracking for about nine months. Kevin MacDonald, the Reserve team boss at Villa, is someone I have been in touch with for a while.

“They have a really good crop of youngsters coming through there and he is one of them.

“He unfortunately has been injured. Kevin became manager earlier in the season and Weimann played in the game with Rapid Vienna and suffered an ankle injury which ruled him out of going out on loan in August.

“He has recovered from that and is back playing Reserve football so I spoke to Kevin and he, Gary McAllister and Gerard Houllier have been very accommodating.

“They felt considering our record of bringing youngsters to the club and the players doing well, that it would be good for both clubs.” .

Mackay continued: “He is one that in the summer I was talking about coming into the club so a bit of patience has worked out, and also the way we are treating players like they are our own means Aston Villa have that trust element with us.”

Weimann is a 19-year-old striker who came on as a late substitute in Aston Villa’s opening two matches this season, but suffered an ankle injury six minutes into the Europa League tie in August.

The Austrian Under-21 international, who Villa say is 6ft 2, finished as top scorer, with nine goals, as Villa won their third consecutive Reserve league title last season.

Mackay said: “He is maybe not as tall as 6ft 2 but he has lots of energy and has an eye for goal. He is only young but there is an enthusiasm there and a want to play football and score goals. He is someone we feel can add to the group.”

Mackay also confirmed Weimann, who will wear number 22, is available for selection against Cardiff City this weekend.

Aston Villa do have the option to recall Weimann.