Villa warned off Russian swoop

Aston Villa have been told to forget about making a move for Andrei Arshavin as the player wants Champions League football.

The Zenit St Petersburg ace is known to be keen on a move to the Premiership and he came close to joining Tottenham in the summer before a move to the club fell through.

Villa have also been linked with a swoop for the player as Martin O'Neill looks to move the club on to the next level but his agent Dennis Lacther has ruled out a swoop.

"Andrei would like to play in the Premier League but he will not accept an offer from clubs like Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa," Lachter told the Daily Telegraph - suggesting that even Manchester City's new-found wealth may not be enough to lure his client.

"There are only four British clubs he would play for and they are in the Champions League. It's not about money, it's about a team and professional ambition."