Two clubs eyeing Aston Villa defender

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is returning from the US to deal with mounting speculation about transfer plans for next season.

Lambert is on the trail of £6m-rated Ipswich defender Aaron Cresswell after cooling on Feyenoord's Dutch international Ron Vlaar.

And Villa defender James Collins is being heavily linked with a £2m move away. Collins' former manager Martin O'Neill is said to be interested, while the Welsh international's former club – West Ham – also want him back, according to reports from London.

Villa's interest in 22-year-old Cresswell was confirmed by Ipswich manager Paul Jewell last night following the former Tranmere defender's appearance in a pre-season friendly at Cambridge. Ipswich value the player at £6m – way beyond the £3m Villa are preparing to offer.

Lambert has yet to confirm whether his move for Dutch defender Vlaar is dead or just in cold storage while he awaits other developments.