Villa fall off Huth pace

Last updated : 31 May 2006 By Norris Winter

The German international has been told he can leave Chelsea and that has seen an ugly mass scramble for Sloth's signature. Villa, Everton and Wigan are widely reported to have had talks with the player's agent Manfred Schulte but it is emerging that north-east rivals Middlesbrough and Newcastle are also keen to secure the lumbering centre-back's signature. Thankfully for Villa fans, however, with Liam Ridgewell and Gary Cahill both agreeing fresh terms yesterday, and finances at a premium, they should lose out.