Source: Northern_Echo
Jones is shock target for Villa
ASTON Villa are preparing a surprise big-money bid for Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones during the January transfer window.[LNB] Villa owner Randy Lerner is ready to hand manager Martin O'Neill a sizeable transfer kitty in an attempt to cement his club's position in the top four.[LNB] With John Carew having fallen out of favour at Villa Park, a striker is at the top of the duo's wanted list.[LNB] Emile Heskey has been leading the Villa line in recent weeks, but the injury sustained by the England international in last weekend's win over Stoke exposed the lack of alternatives in O'Neill's squad.[LNB] As a result, the Northern Irishman is ready to enter the market when the transfer window reopens at the start of January, and Jones is expected to feature prominently on his list of targets.[LNB] Twelve months ago, Sunderland rebuffed a £10m approach from Tottenham, and offered Jones a new four-year deal, which he signed at the end of January.[LNB] Since then, though, the Trinidad & Tobago international has struggled to recapture the form he displayed in the early stages of his Sunderland career.[LNB] Tellingly, manager Steve Bruce has opted to leave him on the bench on a handful of occasions.[LNB] Bruce does not have to sell anyone next month, but the Black Cats boss is willing to listen to offers for a number of players.[LNB] Jones is understood to fall into that category.[LNB] However, Sunderland will demand at least £12m for the striker's services, and O'Neill's tendency to strike a hard bargain could make it difficult for the two clubs to agree a fee.[LNB] The Villa boss may be willing to include Carew in a deal for Jones.[LNB] But Sunderland's valuation of the Norwegian is unlikely to be the same as his current manager's.[LNB] That could open the door for other clubs to express an interest, with Liverpool and Stoke City both believed to be keen to sign a striker next month.[LNB] Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney could be two other players leaving the Stadium of Light next month, but their situation is dependent upon Bruce being able to sign the defensive targets he has earmarked for the January window.[LNB] One player who will definitely not be leaving Wearside is Jordan Henderson, with Bruce describing the 19-year-old midfielder as Sunderland's player of the season.[LNB] Henderson made his first Premier League start in August's 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, but the Sunderland-born youngster has since established himself as a key figure in the Black Cats' midfield.[LNB] He produced arguably his best display of the season at Manchester City last weekend, scoring one goal and setting up another, and Bruce has been delighted with his impact in the last four months.[LNB] If anyone's thinking Jordan has been the best player throughout the season, they might have a point, said the Sunderland boss.[LNB] He's had a fantastic start to his career, that's for sure.[LNB] Since day one, when I walked through the door, he's been nothing short of brilliant.[LNB] I keep saying he's still got a lot to learn, which is normal when you're 19, but he's had a great start to his young career and long may it continue.[LNB] Henderson has started Sunderland's last nine league games.[LNB] But despite a packed Christmas schedule that will see his side face Everton, Blackburn and Barrow in the space of seven days, Bruce sees no need to give the teenager a rest.[LNB] I've never been tempted to leave him out, he said.[LNB] There are no indications at all that he needs a rest, that's for sure.[LNB] He was fantastic again last weekend, and was also close to scoring against Portsmouth and Villa.[LNB] He still has to keep his feet on the ground and work hard, but he seems levelheaded enough to do that.[LNB]
