Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is moving for Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

The Mirror says O'Neill is keen to take Smith on loan - with a view to a full-time move - and hopes that Sir Alex Ferguson will allow him to leave Old Trafford where he is out in the cold.

The Villa boss is hoping Smith, who turned down loan moves to Cardiff and Wigan, will jump at the chance of moving to the Midlands.

The former England striker has been struggling for form and confidence since his horror leg break and Ferguson is prepared to let him get some games - and may even sell if it suits all parties.

Smith snubbed Wigan recently and claimed that he wanted to fight for his first-team place, but Villa are a bigger club and that may appeal to him as he knows his United chances are slim.

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