Standard ace linked

Aston Villa are being linked with an £8million January move for Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour.

The 20-year-old midfielder is one of a number of Standard players who are attracting plenty of interest from the Premiership and Villa are thought to be targeting a swoop.

Standard are bracing themselves for bids for their star players when the window opens again with Arsenal also known to be keen on the Belgium international.

Villa hope to pip them to the signature of the player though and reports claim an £8million move is imminent.

Boss Martin O'Neill wants a new midfielder and has been quoted as saying: "We will be trying to bring in players in the window. We are looking to improve the depth and quality of the squad."