O’Neill sets sights on signing Davies

ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill has identified West Brom skipper Curtis Davies and Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley as potential transfer targets in the January transfer window.

Villa have been tracking central defender Davies this season

Albion boss Tony Mowbray has conceded he may have to sell one of his leading assets next month to generate funds for possible new signings.

Former West Brom manager Bryan Robson put a £10m price tag on his head last summer.

Tottenham and Portsmouth are also understood to be monitoring Davies — a target 12 months ago for Arsenal — before deciding whether to make a formal bid.

O’Neill would like to strengthen his defence and that is why he is also believed to be interested in taking right-back Bardsley on loan. The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Rangers but appears surplus to requirements with

Alan Hutton now reinstated in the team.