Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill admits he may make a new centre-half signing before Monday's transfer deadline.

O'Neill is stepping up his search for a centre-back after Martin Laursen was forced to retire from international football.

Villa skipper Laursen, capped 53 times by Denmark, is out for two months following an operation on his right knee.

O'Neill said: "Martin Laursen is a major loss. We will try to do something but it might not be possible."

Targets include Man City defender Micah Richards, 20, who has been linked recently with several other Premier League clubs, says the Mirror. But he only signed a new deal 12 months ago, tying him to City until 2013.