BARDSLEY ON VERGE OF VILLA SWITCH

zocoss SG

Manchester United full-back Phil Bardsley is set to join Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season.

Bardsley is ready to become Villa manager Martin O'Neill's first capture of the January transfer window on Monday - the day after the FA Cup third round clash between the sides at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old was on loan at Rangers for the first half of the campaign but became surplus to requirements at Ibrox.

O'Neill is keen to strengthen his back four and right-back Bardsley's arrival would allow former skipper Olof Mellberg to revert to his preferred role in the centre of defence. But it could put a question mark over the future of Northern Ireland skipper Aaron Hughes, who has struggled to regain his place after recovering from injury.

O'Neill is aware he has to bring in new blood to freshen up a squad which he admits has been pushed to the limit during the opening half of the campaign. In an ideal world he would like to sign quality players on long-term contracts who can help Villa to re-emerge as a potent force after years in the doldrums. But if that is not possible then O'Neill is looking at short-term captures and Bardsley would fit the bill.

O'Neill said: "We have been tested to the limit and the players have done remarkably well. Even if we wanted to try and rotate a bit we haven't had the ability to do so. "We could do with a little bit of help. The same group of players have gone through all the games and I would imagine we would have had less chance to rotate than most.

"That is not to evoke a lot of sympathy. That's our position and we are trying to put it right. "We might get players in during January and might still have the same problem in February and that's the way the season goes, but we would be better off having a bigger squad."

CKeer SG

Poor Bardsley. I doubt he'll ever have a future at United. Unless Neville retires, Brown took over Right-Back position and Bardsley on the bench as sub.

Cheers.
C.K

leo-kun SG

i seen him played before i felt he is the future of man u right back anyway he is still young so no worries

iveco SG

MUFC’s loss is AVFC’s gain.

marcteng SG

Man U shd get Micah Richards, he will be england RB for the next 10 years Mr. Green

leo-kun SG

no point spending the money on him when man u have bardsley

The man who was death SG

i prefer hughes or delaney anytime........ Neutral

Dead_Man_Inc SG

he ever play for man utd last year right?

hyuuga neji SG

Bardsley will have to wait for Villa debut

Manchester United full-back Phil Bardsley has joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old has become Martin O'Neill's first signing in the January transfer window.

Bardsley, who spent the first half of the campaign on loan to Rangers, would not be able to face the Red Devils in next Saturday's Premiership encounter at Old Trafford.

His first appearance for Villa would probably be in the home Premiership match against strugglers Watford on January 20

He joins Villa on loan...