Aston Villa Football Club are favourites to land Sylvain Distin this summer.

Martin O’Neill is eager to sign an experienced central defender before the transfer deadline, having lost Martin Laursen to retirement at the end of last season.

Although Portsmouth are desperate to hang on to Distin, he only has twelve months remaining on his deal and is stalling over the offer of a new contract.

With other interested parties, Liverpool and Manchester City, looking elsewhere, The Times claim Villa are in pole position to land the 31-year-old, who is rated at around £3million.