McLeish in bid to snatch players from rivals Brum

Alex McLeish will this week bid to take Ben Foster and Scott Dann to Aston Villa from Birmingham with him.

But key Blues midfielder Craig Gardner, 24, is expected to join ­Sunderland. The Black Cats are close to agreeing a fee of around £8million for Gardner, who bagged 10 goals last term.

But McLeish wants City keeper Foster, 28, to replace Brad Friedel as Villa’s No.1 in a £9m transfer, while he has been quoted £12m for potential England centre-back Dann. Veteran Barry Ferguson could also make the switch.

Bolton remain favourites to land Blues striker Cameron Jerome.

Villa legend backs McLeish to challenge for Europe