Celtic back in for Maloney
Villa were today braced for fresh interest from Celtic in Shaun Maloney - as Liam Ridgewell looked poised to join Blues.
Maloney moved south from Parkhead in a £1m deal in January, but has seen his chances limited by a succession of niggling problems.
It is believed the Scotland international, who scored his first goal for his country against the Faroe Islands in June, has struggled to settle in the Midlands.
And Glasgow sources suggest Hoops boss Gordon Strachan is keen on taking the forward back north.
Maloney has scored once in five starts and three substitute appearances for Villa since being reunited with Martin O'Neill.
The departure of Ridgewell appears more imminent, with the defender set to move across the second city to St Andrews in a £2.25m deal.
Ridgewell was missing from the Villa side at Stoke last night and could become one of two new signings at Blues, where boss Steve Bruce is tipped to land Fulham left back Franck Queudrue.