Aston Villa line up January move for Manchester City defender

Aston Villa could be set for offer Micah Richards a shock World Cup lifeline.

The Manchester City defender is worried about his chances of making Fabio Capello’s England squad for next summer after being axed in favour of Pablo Zabaleta.

With Mark Hughes tracking Barcelona right-back Dani Alves, Richards’ place at City is under threat - and the 21-year-old recently claimed his situation at Eastlands was disheartening.

Richards still hopes to play his way back into Capello’s plans for South Africa but admits he needs to improve his form and play regularly in order to stand a chance.

City boss Hughes is plotting a big-money move for Alves this winter and if the Brazilian arrives, Richards’ future at City would look bleak.

Everton joined a growing list of suitors this week but interest from David Moyes has cooled.

The Toffees’ relationship with City has been frosty since Joleon Lescott’s move from Goodison in the summer and a deal looks unlikely.

But Villa boss Martin O’Neill has targeted Richards as another England star to add to his growing squad of Three Lions hopefuls.

Hughes would be reluctant to sell Richards but if he presses ahead with a bid for Alves, O’Neill will look to force his hand with a bid of around £13million.