Martin O’Neill seems convinced that Emile Heskey will be heading back to Liverpool and so has tuned his attention to Sunderland’s Kenwyne Jones.

The price being quoted is £12 million – but this will be no worry to big spending Villa, having already assembled the current squad for vast transfer sums. It remains to be seen whether Sunderland will accept the offer, but during the Roy Keane years spending was high, and the chance to recuperate some of the money may prove too tempting.

The player too is likely to want to move. Villa are really challenging for a Champions League spot this season and this is going to appeal more than a relegation dogfight. Jones will also notice that he only has to compete against John Carew, as both Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor compliment rather than replace him.

Is Jones the man for O’Neill? Will he want to move?