Aston Villa are ready to pounce for Manchester City defender Micah Richards.

The Mirror says City defender Richards is worried about his chances of making Fabio Capello's England squad for next summer after being axed in favour of Pablo Zabaleta.

With Mark Hughes tracking Barcelona right-back Dani Alves, Richards' place at City is under threat - and the 21-year-old recently claimed his situation at Eastlands was disheartening.

Everton joined a growing list of suitors this week but interest from David Moyes has cooled.

The Toffees' relationship with City has been frosty since Joleon Lescott's move from Goodison in the summer and a deal looks unlikely.

But Villa boss Martin O'Neill has targeted Richards as another England star to add to his growing squad of Three Lions hopefuls.

Hughes would be reluctant to sell Richards but if he presses ahead with a bid for Alves, O'Neill will look to force his hand with a bid of around £13million.