Aston Villa are planning a shock raid for Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

The Daily Mail says Villa boss Martin O'Neill switched his sights to the Blackburn goalkeeper after deciding against meeting Liverpool's asking price of £10million for on-loan Scott Carson and is about to make his move now that manager Mark Hughes has completed his switch to Manchester City.

O'Neill believes Friedel can provide a short-term answer to Villa's quest for a new No 1 and is confident he can land him for as little as £3m, given he is 37 and is on a one-year rolling contract.