Villa close on Warnock signing

27 August 2009 09:35
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is closing in on Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock.[LNB] Villa confirmed on their website they are in discussions with their Premier League rivals about the player.[LNB] Warnock was an unused substitute in the Carling Cup victory against Gillingham on Tuesday night.[LNB] He sat out the defeat by Sunderland at the weekend and remained at home as speculation mounted about his desire to leave Ewood Park.[LNB] Warnock has become a key player for Blackburn with his ability to play at full-back as well as in midfield.[LNB] Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has already stated Warnock will only be allowed to leave for the right price.[LNB] "I think it is obvious he would like to move to a club of that size (Villa) without me trying to cover it up," Allardyce said earlier.[LNB] "The problem is we want the value we think Stephen is worth and that is the most important thing from my and this club's point of view."[LNB] Warnock moved to Blackburn from Liverpool in January 2007 after being frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities.[LNB] Such was his good form he was called into the England squad a year later, although he has not been able to build on his one cap.

Source: Eurosport