Villa defender in Big Sam's sights

West Ham have been linked with a possible summer swoop for Aston Villa defender James Collins.

The newly-promoted Hammers' boss Sam Allardyce is looking to bolster his squad with experienced Premier League campaigners to ensure they avoid an immediate return to the Championship next season. And, having snapped up Bolton's veteran goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, it is thought Big Sam will now look to add tome strength to his central defensive options at Upton Park. Collins is approaching the final year of a four-year contract he signed when he joined Villa from West Ham in summer 2009. And he was due to hold imminent talks about his future with new boss Paul Lambert after preliminary negotiations with former chief Alex McLeish over a new deal broke down during the course of last season. It is not known if Lambert is keen to keep Collins on board and he might see his exit as a chance to cut the wage bill and bring in his own men at the back given that Villa struggled in that department last season. Therefore if a satisfactory offer is forthcoming from West Ham it would not be a surprise if Collins made the return move back to east London.