Aston Villa are ready to offer £5 million for Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha.

The Mirror says Villa will make a £5million swoop for young England defender Onuoha.

The Manchester City centre-half has become frustrated with his limited opportunities at Eastlands, and now Villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to offer him a lifeline.

The England Under-21 defender only signed a new five year contract at City last summer, but since then he has slipped down the pecking order in his favoured central defensive position.

He has been linked with Everton and Newcastle, but Villa are prepared to meet City's asking price of £5million, and the 23-year-old would be attracted by European football next season.