The Claret and Blue are rumoured to be interested in the Portsmouth striker but any move for Crouch would surely mean that Emile Heskey or, more likely John Carew, will be leaving the club during this transfer window.
Martin O'Neill is unlikely to want three target-men at his disposal and the more probable scenario would involve the Villa boss signing a back-up to Gabby Agbonlahor before the season begins on August 15.
That would mean buying a player who is aerially challenged but who has pace in reserve and Crouch certainly does not fit that bill.
The England international, famed for his robotic goalscoring celebrations, failed to cement himself as a fans favourite during his two year stay in the Midlands with Villa.
Beanpole
The 28 year-old beanpole failed to hold down a regular first team place, with Juan Pablo Angel and Darius Vassell often the preferred pairing up front.
Crouch was often under-estimated with many fans overlooking his ability with the ball at his feet. He was seen as no more than a big man used to win balls in the air, but that was never his real strength.
The former Q.P.R man went on to prove himself at Southampton and then at Liverpool with a series of impressive performances eventually earning him international honours.
He is now firmly established as a top Premier League striker after a second spell at Pompey - the club he left to join Villa - and should the Claret and Blue actually want to re-sign him it would cost them in the region of £8m. That would represent a hefty loss as they sold him for a mere £2m in 2004 to the Saints.
It would be a crazy move, but who would put it past the ever-unpredictable O'Neill.