Source: Telegraph
Aston Villa prepare bid for Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart
The England Under-21 player's contract at the City of Manchester Stadium expires in June and, despite excellent early season form, the arrival of Shay Given from Newcastle United in the January transfer window has seen his first team opportunities limited.[LNB]Villa are expected to conclude the deal for around £3 million, according to a report in today's Sun Newspaper.[LNB] Related ArticlesVilla take mini-break[LNB]Aston Villa show strain at City[LNB]O'Neill fears Arsenal win[LNB]O'Neill treats fans to dinner[LNB]Paper View: Kop a load of this, Hicks[LNB]England recall Ledley King for Slovakia and Ukraine[LNB]Hart believes that a move to Villa Park will greatly increase his chances of first team football and will see him join a club who will be competing in Europe next season.[LNB]Hart is one of the most highly rated young English goalkeepers in the Premier League and is seen by many as Ben Foster's main rival to succeed David James in Fabio Capello's full England side.[LNB]With FA Cup quarter-finals taking place this weekend Villa have a free week and will head off to Dubai for warm weather training as they attempt to arrest a decline in form that threatens to thwart their ambitions of breaking in to the Premier League's top four.[LNB]O'Neill's side have gone six games without a victory in all competitions and are in danger of losing the momentum built up during a successful start to their season.[LNB]Meanwhile, Villa have also announced that their agreement to carry the logo of Acorn's Children's Hospice on their shirts will be extended for another season.[LNB]Villa received plaudits for their decision to forgo the revenue available from a corporate shirt sponsor and instead give the rights away for free to promote the charity.[LNB]
