Aston Villa line up move for Tottenham star Darren Bent

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill will move for Spurs' Darren Bent if he fails to land Jermain Defoe.

Villa have contacted Portsmouth about buying England hitman Defoe to bolster their Champions League push.

But the forward's preferred choice is to link-up with former Pompey manager Harry Redknapp at Tottenham ahead of a move to Villa or Manchester City. Defoe, 26, has a close rapport with Redknapp after also playing under him at West Ham and the star is reluctant to leave London.

That has left O'Neill considering his options as Emile Heskey has indicated he wants to see his contract out at Wigan.

And with Redknapp set to wheel and deal in January, O'Neill is considering a bid for Bent.

The marksman, 24, has struggled to hold down a regular place at Spurs following a £16.5million move from Charlton in June 2007.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is also lining up a £5m offer for Newcastle winger Charles N'Zogbia.

O'Neill wants the versatile Frenchman to give cover on the left for Ashley Young and provide another option at full-back.

N'Zogbia, 22, has been close to quitting St James' Park in the past and may now be sold to raise funds for manager Joe Kinnear.

Villa's interest in N'Zogbia is an indication of O'Neill's lack of confidence in out-of-favour left-back Nicky Shorey.

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