Villa And Three Defenders!

Wolverhampton Wanderers chief executive Jez Moxey has dismissed reports suggesting that Aston Villa had bid £3million for Joleon Lescott.

Moxley said 'The story suggesting Aston Villa have made a bid is absolute rubbish.'

Reports suggesting that Villa had bid £3million and that it had been turned down as Wolves want £5million look to be totally wide of the mark but Moxey does look like he will sell after he said: 'I am now dealing with serious inquiries for Joleon.'

Everton, Manchester City and Spanish team Seville have all be linked.

David O'Leary is known to be looking for a defender but his hands are tied as there are no major funds available until some of the squad are moved on.

Meanwhile 21-year-old Liam Ridgewell has been offered a new and improved 3 year deal which would tie him to the club until 2009 after he made 30 starts and two sub bench appearances for the first team last season.

Villa also hope that Gary Cahill will agree a new deal to keep him at Villa.

O'Leary told the official site: 'Liam's played a lot of games for us - a lot more than we expected. He went into the season as back-up, but Martin Laursen's injury meant he played virtually all the games. He's still learning his trade and this season won't have done him any harm. He's shown a willingness to learn and at times played extremely well for us. He showed in the derby games against West Brom and Birmingham that he can rise to the big occasions and now we're looking for that sort of form on a regular basis.'

Adding: 'You get ups and downs with young players and that's been the case with Liam. But I've always said that I'll give young players a chance and Liam's got the chance over the next few years to make a name for himself here.'

That is what most of us Villa fans forget, we want the youth in then expect them to be the finished article. He has had a mixed season but he is still young and learning his trade. Lets hope he becomes a very useful long term member of the team!

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