Villa winger talk

Premiership rivals Aston Villa are said to be showing an interest in reported Liverpool target Gervinho.

Speculation has linked the Lille ace with a move to Anfield after reports that boss Kenny Dalglish had run the rule over the player following a recommendation from Reds Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli.

However, it is suggested that former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is also eyeing the player.

The Ivory Coast international - who has also been linked with Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, as well as French sides Marseille, AS Monaco and Paris St Germain in the past - operates mainly as a winger.

He can also play upront though, a fact shown by his ratio of close to a goal a game for his club.

Ligue 1 leaders Lille are keen to hang onto the 23-year-old, who has played 19 times for his country, scoring five goals.

However, they will be aware that Gervinho has just 15 months left on his contract at the Stadium Lille Metropole de Villeneuve d'Ascq and could be tempted to sell the player if they were to recieve a big-money offer in the close season.

Source: Clubcall

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