TheDailySoccerNews.com

Aston Villa will act quickly to stave off a dramatic loss of form by tabling a bid for West Ham midfielder Scott Parker during the Transfer Window.

Villa have lost their last two matches and fell out of the Champions League race with a dreadful post-Christmas run last season.

However, manager Martin O’Neill is desperate to maintain a push for the top four this time - his side are currently fifth - and reports in The Guardian suggest he will attempt to beat Tottenham and Liverpool to Parker’s signature.

The 29-year-old has been valued at £8m by the hard-up Hammers and his natural holding midfield role is something O’Neill needs.

He has been using attacking midfielder Stilian Petrov more defensively while Nigel Reo-Coker - replaced by Parker at Upton Park two years ago - is struggling to hold a regular place down.

History would suggest ex-Charlton and Chelsea man Parker would favour a London move but he did spend two seasons at Newcastle so is not averse to leaving the capital. (continue reading…)