Portsmouth targeted the player earlier in the summer but were told by Villa boss Alex McLeish that Herd was in his plans for the forthcoming season.
However, Grayson is keen to add the player to his squad and will offer to pay his wages in full, something Pompey were unable to do.
The 22-year-old Australian midfielder has made six first-team appearances during his Villa career.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 17 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 24 | 9 | 15 | 35 |
| 2 | Burnley | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 33 |
| 3 | Sunderland | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 26 | 12 | 14 | 33 |
| 4 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 16 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 28 | 12 | 16 | 32 |
| 5 | Watford | 17 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 26 | 24 | 2 | 29 |
| 6 | Middlesbrough | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 19 | 10 | 27 |
| 7 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 17 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 27 |
| 8 | Millwall | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 24 |
| 9 | Norwich CityNorwich | 17 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 31 | 25 | 6 | 22 |
| 10 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 22 |
| 11 | Bristol City | 17 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 20 | 21 | -1 | 22 |
| 12 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 20 | 26 | -6 | 22 |
| 13 | Stoke CityStoke | 17 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 19 | 20 | -1 | 21 |
| 14 | Derby CountyDerby | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 15 | Swansea CitySwansea | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 19 |
| 16 | Luton TownLuton | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 18 |
| 17 | Coventry CityCoventry | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 22 | 25 | -3 | 17 |
| 18 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 19 | 27 | -8 | 17 |
| 19 | Preston North EndPreston | 17 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 24 | -8 | 17 |
| 20 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 34 | -16 | 17 |
| 21 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 24 | -9 | 16 |
| 22 | Hull City | 17 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 23 | -7 | 15 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | 15 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 28 | -12 | 12 |
| 24 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 16 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 26 | -13 | 11 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
