Villa could face a fight to hang on to John Carew after the striker emerged as a shock target for mega-rich Manchester City.

Reports this morning claim City boss Mark Hughes has turned his attention to the giant Norway forward after admitting defeat in his long-running pursuit of Blackburn’s Roque Santa Cruz.

Carew, who is under contract at Villa until 2011, has been in outstanding form since returning from the back problem which sidelined him for three months of the season, scoring eight goals in his last 10 starts to take his tally for the campaign to 15.

That streak has convinced Martin O’Neill to keep him in his plans for next season, but has also attracted the attention of a team expected to join Villa in rivalling the big four next season.

With City having money to burn, the Villa boss may find himself fending off a sizeable bid for the 29-year-old, who arrived from Lyon in January 2007 in a straight swop for Milan Baros.

But O’Neill will be reassured by the fact Holte End favourite Carew only recently declared his intent to stay.

“I love the club, the fans, I love my team-mates – I am just happy,” he said. “I have two years left and have not thought of anything else.”

Meanwhile, Villa look set to fight Chelsea for City’s Daniel Sturridge after Hughes confirmed the striker, who becomes a free agent next month, will leave Eastlands.