Aston Villa Football Club are ready to enter the battle to sign Steven Taylor.

The former England Under-21 international is set to become the latest player to leave Newcastle United, following their relegation from the Premier League last season.

Everton have long been linked with a move for the player, but reports in The Evening Chronicle suggest Martin O’Neill is about to make an offer.

The Villa manager lost Martin Laursen through retirement at the end of last season, and he believes Taylor could prove an able replacement for the Dane.