O'Neill lines up Bardsley on loan

Manager Martin O'Neill has earmarked a right-back as a priority this month and he appears to have won the battle for the 21-year-old.

Sources say the deal could be done on Monday.

Bardsley was all set to sign for Sunderland, but manager Roy Keane admitted yesterday he may lose out on the youngster.

"I spoke to 'Bardo' yesterday and he said he'd get back to me, but he was talking to a Premiership club," said Keane.

Bardsley has recently returned from a loan spell at Rangers, who pipped Villa to his signature in August.

The youngster was sent back from Ibrox after then manager Paul Le Guen accused him of going in too hard in training.

Salford-born Bardsley, who has also had loan spells with United's Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp and Burnley, has played eight Premiership games for United since 2003.

The chances of another Rangers-connected player joining Villa appeared to fade yesterday with Le Guen's sacking.

Deposed Ibrox captain Barry Ferguson will want to see whether he has a future there first, but Villa would be keen to take him on loan.

O'Neill meanwhile kicked off the countdown to Sunday's FA Cup clash at Old Trafford by revealing United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is worth £50m - but he's the type of player he wants to eventually attract to Villa Park.

"They bought him for £12m three years ago and everyone thought after three or four weeks it was a waste of money," said the boss.

"If you quadrupled that, you might get close to what he's worth now."