Leeds also look close to signing Celtic's Didier Agathe on loan during the transfer window.
Ecuador international de la Cruz signed for Villa for a reported £1.5m when Graham Taylor was boss.
He is is an attacking right-sided player who can play at right-back. The 2004/05 season proved to be his most successful as he made 35 appearances for Villa and he also made 9 appearances for Ecuador, scoring once in their bid to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.