Young set for Villa talks

Watford striker Ashley Young is set to have talks with Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, after the Hornets accepted a bid - believed to be worth an initial £8 million - from the midlands club.

Watford have given permission to O'Neill to speak with 21-year-old Young - who rejected the chance to move to West Ham earlier in the week.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley had a bid of £9.65million accepted by Watford, and Villa's fee will come close to matching that once add-ons have been taken into account.

Young was initially thought to be keen to remain in London, with Tottenham appearing strong favourites to sign him in a cash-plus-player exchange deal with Watford - involving defender Calum Davenport and midfielder Wayne Routledge.

But Villa's chances of signing Young are said to be greater than those of the Hammers, who themselves have now signed central defender Davenport after failing with a £4million bid for Birmingham's Matthew Upson.

O'Neill has been scouring England and the continent for new forward talent after the less than convincing performances of Milan Baros and £9.5million club-record signing Juan Pablo Angel.

In addition, veteran Chris Sutton is still suffering from blurred vision and no nearer to making a recovery.

Former Celtic boss O'Neill has been linked with Robbie Keane, Jermaine Defoe and Craig Bellamy among others - plus winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

But to date his only January capture has been Manchester United right-back Phil Bardsley, who has joined Villa on loan for the remainder of the season and is poised to make his debut against Watford.

The signing of Young would give out a positive message of intent to Villa supporters waiting to see just how much money new owner Randy Lerner is willing to spend.