Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Ince has told Aston Villa to forget about trying for striker Roque Santa Cruz in January.

Martin O'Neill's men have been linked with an £18million move for the Paraguay international striker, who signed a new four-year deal at Ewood Park in the summer.

But Rovers boss Ince said: "Villa can't afford him.

"When it gets near to the transfer window, people start coming out with all these things. Roque signed a four-year deal, he came out and said he loves it at Blackburn.

"He wants to stay here and we want him to stay here.

"Until that changes, that's the only situation that matters."