Aston Villa and Manchester City are ready to make firm offers for Tottenham defender Anthony Gardner.

The Daily Mail says the former Port Vale centre-half has been linked with deals of around £4million by various sources and seems surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane following the arrival of Younes Kaboul from Auxerre.

Villa and City both need to bolster the centre of their defence if they are to climb out of the Premier League doldrums and challenge for a UEFA Cup place next season by charging up the table.