Villa join United in the race to sign £5 million winger

According to the News of the World today, Aston Villa have joined West Ham United in the race to sign Derby County winger Giles Barnes. Barnes was linked with a summer move to the Hammers but for some reason or another nothing materialised.

Barnes is almost certain to leave the Premier League strugglers in January and Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is said to be very keen on bringing the 19-year old to Villa Park. The England under-21 international will cost either side as much as £5 million.

Barnes looked a very promising prospect whilst playing with Derby in the Championship but so far in the Premier League he has failed to show that kind of form in a poor Derby side. He has also had a few injuries this season and lets hope we start to see the best of him in the coming months wherever he ends up.