Villa have opened talks with Blackburn over left-back Stephen Warnock as manager Martin O’Neill prepared for a race against time to strengthen his small squad.

Villa confirmed they are talking to Rovers about signing the former Liverpool full-back as they hunt new faces ahead of the close of the transfer window on Tuesday.

O’Neill has made defensive strengthening his top priority with 27-year-old Warnock seen as the man to replace Nicky Shorey, who has struggled to make an impact since moving from Reading for £4.5m last summer.

The manager has refused to comment on specific players, but admits boosting his defensive options is a priority.

Villa lost the commanding presence of captain Martin Laursen when he was forced to retire due to a knee injury in the closing stages of last season, while they also sold Zat Knight to Bolton for £4m earlier this summer.

O’Neill said: “I cannot comment on any individual. But we are still looking to bolster the squad.

“I hope that we will be able to get in a new player before the deadline but until you get the players actually signed it would be difficult to comment.

“We know that we have about a week to get the squad together.”

Meanwhile, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp today revealed he recommended Sol Campbell to O’Neill.

The former England defender, 34, yesterday agreed a five-year contract with League Two Notts County worth £10m.

“I’m surprised no one took him in the Premier,” said Redknapp.

“I spoke to Martin O’Neill and he said he was looking for a central defender and I said, ‘take Sol Campbell’. That’s how highly I still rate him.”