Aston Villa to hand Liverpool’s Cole Premier League lifeline

Joe Cole is one of the players Liverpool are keen to offload before the closing of the transfer window and the England international could be set for a Premier League stay at Aston Villa.

Cole seemed set to make a surprise switch to Lille after the French champions showed an interest in taking him across the Channel.

However, although personal discussions were believed to be underway between the clubs, Villa’s late interest may cause him to change his plans.

Rumours are strong that Cole is in talks with Aston Villa, which is a move that would be a bit of a surprise given the club’s transfer dealings this summer.

New manager Alex McLeish has seemingly been given the task of trimming the club’s wage bill, with Brad Friedel, Nigel Reo-Coker, John Carew and Luke Young all allowed to leave.

Charles N’Zogbia and Shay Given have arrived, but the capture of Cole would surely make him the highest earner on Villa’s books, unless they take him on loan from Liverpool and only pay a percentage of his wages.

Cole would certainly offer a new dimension to Villa’s ranks, but a player with his injury record and current loss of form would make him a high risk acquisition.

Although exciting new arrivals are unlikely at Villa, there is some talk that at least one new face will arrive.

With Young leaving and Eric Lichaj out for four months, a right back is a bit of a necessity and Alan Hutton seems virtually assured to be brought in from Tottenham.

There is also small talk that Villa may make it a double swoop and also sign Jermaine Jenas, while those in the optimistic camp believe that a deal can be done for a James Milner return to Villa Park.