O'Neill to up ante for Friedel

Aston Villa are this week expected to make a renewed bid to sign want-away Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel, according to reports.

The giant American confirmed at the end of last week he wanted to leave Ewood Park, while Rovers officials revealed they had already rejected two offers for the 37-year-old.

Villa Park manager Martin O'Neill is keen to bolster his goalkeeping options and is believed to be ready to up the ante.

When asked about Friedel's situation, Blackburn manager Paul Ince, who is flying with the rest of the squad from Germany to Portugal for the second leg of Rovers' pre-season tour, told the Lancashire Telegraph: "The good thing about being away is you don't see the papers and you don't hear all the rubbish that is going on back home.

"As far as I'm concerned, I've not heard anything and I'm just focusing on the next few days before we play again in Portugal.

"Whatever will be, will be."