Aston Villa are planning a new bid for Manchester City defender Micah Richards.

The Mirror says Villa are moving for Richards over concerns for skipper Martin Laursen's long-term fitness.

Martin O'Neill enquired last month about signing Manchester City centre-back Richards, 20, for around £8million.

But City were not willing to sell their homegrown star until getting a replacement - and they failed to land Everton's Joleon Lescott.

Villa still believe they could snap up England international Richards in the summer though, following his indifferent form this term.