Old Trafford bit part player heading for Villa Park?
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MICHAEL OWEN is in line to become Gerard Houllier’s first signing for Aston Villa.
The new Villa boss is set to make a swoop for the former England striker during the January transfer window either on loan or for a nominal fee.
Houllier watched Owen play in Jamie Carragher’s testimonial game at Anfield last Saturday and was impressed by his form and fitness.
He will be keen to reunite his relatonship with the striker which flourished so successfully at Liverpool that Owen was named European Player of the Year in 2001 after helping fire the club to a treble of trophy successes.
Owen’s contract with Manchester United expires at the end of the season and he remains a bit-part player at Old Trafford.
He might welcome to chance to reignite and extend his career by another two years at Villa under Houllier.
And it would be the sort of budget signing which will appeal to owner Randy Lerner whose decision to tighten the purse-strings led to the resignation of Martin O’Neill. (News of the World)
According to some sources Sir Alex Ferguson will willingly allow Michael Owen leave for Villa Park in January for a fee in the region of £3m as the former Liverpool man tries to reignite a career that is once again in danger of stagnating. Gerard Houllier has expressed an interest in bringing his former Anfield charge to Aston Villa to boost his attacking options and with his contract at Old Trafford set to expire next summer a nominal fee will be agreed to complete the deal.
When called upon by Ferguson the 30 year old has done pretty well, netting nine goals in twelve starts, however injuries and lack of opportunities have left the England man down the pecking order and has managed just 32 minutes of Premier League football thus far this term and has not started a Premier League match for United since he made the starting eleven in January.