Two Strikers Linked OUT + MON IS Looking To Buy

Well, Martin O'Neill had said recently he didn't expect much if any action in January, yesterday he - I'm glad to say - contradicted that by saying:

'We are trying to sign players because we will need the squad for a long season ahead.' .

Ok, not quite what I'd hoped for in the Sunday press, the only links to strikers relating to Villa are links out! Ho hum, lets have a look at what is being said in the press today:

According to The Daily Star Tom Jones mini-me Rafa Benitez (I can't call him the other nickname, I had a complaint that it was racist?!) is looking for a 'cut price' deal to secure 30-year-old John Carew.

The report says he is rated at around £3million, that he has just 18 months left on his contract and that no new contract talks have been opened at Villa Park. They also claim that Carew isn't happy being second in the pecking order to Emile Heskey.

Personally I can't see Villa being able to ship out any strikers in January UNLESS there is a top class replacement available, willing to move to Villa and wanted by MON. However if I had to choose - which is a stupid thing to say really, as I don't have to choose and neither do you, only MON has to but that won't stop me from saying it !!!! - I'd keep Heskey and ship out Mr 1 in 10.

As said though, we need strikers in not out, in the summer it is a different matter and I'll be surprised if JC isn't moved on.

The Daily Mail say that Chelsea want England international Emile Heskey.

Didier Drogba is away in the Africa Cup of Nations and they need more strike power and according to this report, Heskey is the ideal replacement. Now a few reports over the last month or so have claim that Heskey would look to move to secure first team action and secure his place at the World Cup. Would Chelsea guarantee him first team football? No chance, when Drogba comes back Drogba will be in the team and surely you'd not play both up front?

The report claims Heskey would cost around £4million.

Liverpool, Sunderland and Wigan have also been reported as showing an interest in the soon to be 32-year-old. Again, if this was the summer, I'd say it was likely but in the middle of the season? Not unless something better is available to replace him.

MON is quoted as saying when asked about Heskey: 'I'll not impart that information. I don't really want to sell players but I don't have a clue what might happen in January at this stage.'

The News of the World report by Chris Bascombe, says Liverpool will move for Heskey after Rafa poured cold water on the Ruud van Nistelrooy rumours.

They claim Villa would want at least £5million and Liverpool being cashed strapped may well struggle to raise that sort of money, especially for a player who would have no sell on value at all. The report also says that Heskey is 'excited' at the thoughts of a return to Anfield.

And a repeat of last weeks rumour in the The Mirror that both Villa and Manchester City want 18-year-old West Bromwich Albion defender Paul Downing.

Finally, my sources tell me that David Villa is a massive fan of lions and wants to play with a lion on his badge. Now having delved a little deeper it also appears he has an adversity to the colour blue unless matched with a counter balance of claret and therefore, according to my exclusive source, he will listen to no offers other than from Aston Villa and he was indeed spotted at the Belfry the other day. He wasn't playing golf though, he hates the game as he hates iron, the number three and sand. All makes perfect sense to me, watch this space.

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