Birmingham are poised to step up their bid to sign Aston Villa central defender Liam Ridgewell.

Blues manager Steve Bruce was interested in signing Ridgewell during the January transfer window after off-loading Matthew Upson to West Ham for £7million.

Now he is keen to revive his bid to land the 22-year-old who came through the academy ranks at Villa.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is unlikely to stand in the way of former England Under-21 international Ridgewell who could be off-loaded for around £2million.