Three clubs after Villa's Maloney

Three clubs have expressed an interest in signing Villa midfielder Shaun Maloney - according to the player's agent John Halliwell.

According to the agent, the 25-year-old is keen to be playing regularly to win his place back in the international set up with Scotland. He was omitted from George Burley's squad for Wednesday's friendly against Northern Ireland.

He has made just 30 appearances for Villa, since joining in a £1million deal from Celtic in January 2007.

Halliwell added that three agents acting of behalf of clubs had contacted him to ask whether the player was available.