Villa striker search may have to wait

Villa boss Gerard Houllier has admitted his new striker search may have to wait until the summer as he attempts to land midfielders Jean Makoun and Charlie Adam.

The claret and blues have been linked with Monaco forward Dieumerci Mbokani and Tottenham striker Robbie Keane but, at this moment in time, it looks unlikely Houllier will move for either player in January.

But the manager is pressing ahead with deals for Lyon midfield general Makoun and Blackpool playmaker Adam, with offers on the table for the pair.

Both players are out of contract in 18 months time, although they will only be sold if the price is acceptable to both parties and it is understood neither player will join the club before Sunday's Second City derby with Birmingham.

Houllier said: "It is true that Adam is a player we like. His passing is very good.

"Makoun could also be a good asset for us because he is experienced, he has played Champions League with Lille and Lyon and he is exactly what we need at times.

"He can play as a holding midfielder or as a box-to-box player. He can be both.

"We are working on it. There is dialogue going on at the moment."

Houllier also intimated he is prepared to bide his time for a striker, in order to sign a player who matches a specific criteria rather than just bringing someone in for the sake of it.

He said: "If you say are you looking for a striker? I would say if the opportunity is there yes. But you don't find them easily.

"Getting a striker itself is not a problem, it is mainly the type of striker that you want.

"We're always looking for good players but we're aware that when Emile Heskey's not there, and John Carew, we're struggling."

Peterborough goalkeeper Joe Lewis is also on Houllier's radar but, for the time being, the Villa boss is focusing on Sunday's Second City derby with Birmingham at St Andrew's.

He said: "I am excited about it. I think it is better to play Birmingham now.

"It's a derby game and the players know that it's a very important game for them, for their family and for the fans.

"If you are a Villa fan or a Villa player you know that this game is very important and probably more important than any other game.

"We will be up for it."