Villa boss O'Neill plans £3m summer swoop for Barnsley FA Cup hero Howard

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O'Neill is poised to make a £3million bid for the 25-year-old midfielder - and Tykes captain - as soon as the season finishes as he sets about taking his mid-table squad to the next level.

Billionaire Villa owner Randy Lerner could put as much as £40m at O'Neill's disposal.

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Brian's blaster: Howard fires home at Anfield to dump Liverpool out of the FA Cup

O'Neill will also try to persuade Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to move to Villa Park, according to the Daily Star.

The 32-year-old Finland international is a free agent in the summer after 11 seasons at the Reebok and O'Neill will lure him with a bumper pay packet.

The Villa boss will waste no time solving his goalkeeping situation after baulking at the £10m price tag Liverpool have put on on-loan Scott Carson.

O'Neill has been satisfied with Carson this season, but his valuation is nowhere near Anfield's and the England keeper seems certain to be sent back to Liverpool.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is also a known admirer of Jaaskelainen and Villa could head an auction for his services given there is no fee.

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Jussi the job: Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is wanted by Villa and Arsenal

But it's Howard who O'Neill is keen to recruit after the all-action star helped mastermind Barnsley's astonishing run to the FA Cup semi-finals.

Howard put himself in the shop window with a stunning 20-yard last-gasp winner to sink Liverpool at Anfield and then played a starring role as they beat Chelsea.

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Barnsley's boy: skipper Brian Howard could be on his way to Villa

Signing Jasskelainen and Howard would signal only the start of what seems sure to be a frantic summer of wheeler-dealing at Villa.

Striker John Carew, who limped off during the 4-0 thrashing at Manchester United, is recovering from a groin problem and could face Bolton on Saturday.