Villa eye Friedel as Blackburn face an exodus

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Blackburn are in danger of losing their best players as well as their manager after it emerged that Aston Villa are ready to raid Ewood Park for Brad Friedel.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill switched his sights to the Blackburn goalkeeper after deciding against meeting Liverpool's asking price of £10million for on-loan Scott Carson and is about to make his move now that manager Mark Hughes has completed his switch to Manchester City.

Blackburn are also bracing themselves for the likely loss of David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz and are concerned at claims that Stephen Warnock has become unsettled and centre back Ryan Nelsen may be on his way out.

Hughes is expected to make Bentley one of his first signings and could bid for Santa Cruz as well if owner Thaksin Shinawatra fails in his ambitious attempt to pair Ronaldinho with imminent arrival Jo.

Should Santa Cruz leave, Blackburn will weigh up a £4m move for Ewood old boy James Beattie, now at Sheffield United.

O'Neill believes Friedel can provide a short-term answer to Villa's quest for a new No 1 and is confident he can land him for as little as £3m, given he is 37 and is on a one-year rolling contract.

Sam Allardyce, the former Bolton boss, is believed to have been asked about succeeding Hughes. MK Dons boss Paul Ince, also a likely candidate for the Blackburn job, was last night the subject of an approach by relegated Leicester City.