Aston Villa are planning a bid for Wigan Athletic striker Emile Heskey.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill wants to be reunited with his former Leicester City star after learning that John Carew could be out of action until March with a back injury.

Heskey is the favoured replacement with only six months left on his contract at Wigan, and also having played under O'Neill at Leicester. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has also indicated his desire to get a return on the England forward.