Aston Villa are battling Wolves for Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong.

The Mirror says Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is hoping to beat Wolves to the loan signing of teenager ­Frimpong from Arsenal.

McLeish has identified Villa's central midfield as the key area for strengthening in January.

He has a limited budget, as he must sell to buy, but has one loan left, with crocked Spurs' star Jermaine Jenas still technically on Villa's books.