Aston Villa chase Michael Owen

Aston Villa are being sensationally linked with a move for Michael Owen in January. The Man Utd striker finds himself down the pecking order at Old Trafford, behind Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney, and the emerging Chacarito Hernandez.

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier would consider an emotional link up with the England striker if the opportunity were available.

"I would love to bring him here," Houllier told the Mail on Sunday. "He would be good for the group and has a joyful attitude to playing."

Owen would not be allowed to leave on the cheap though, with United apparently looking for 1 million GBP to release the striker.