Villa want Spurs defender Walker

Last updated : 05 January 2011 By BBC Sport

Houllier is looking for cover because first-choice right-back Luke Young has been troubled by a knee problem.

Inexperienced American Eric Lichaj, 22, and Carlos Cuellar, whose preferred role is centre-back, have been used to fill the breach.

Walker impressed for Sheffield United before

making the move to White Hart Lane

but the form of Alan Hutton has restricted his first-team chances and he has spent the first half of the campaign

on loan at Championship leaders QPR.

Villa are struggling in the Premier League, only one point above the relegation zone, and have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 10 league games - of which they have won only two.

Assistant manager Gary McAllister admitted the Midlanders need to strengthen their squad.

Walker wants to play regularly in the Premier League to try and get near the England team, he has already been told he won't get that chance at Spurs this season

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"We are looking right across the board," he said. "Anyone who can make Aston Villa better, we are in the market for. As you can imagine, there is a lot of hard work being done in the recruitment area.

"There are a lot of good players here but, at every club, if somebody is available that could make us better, we've got to be able to react."

McAllister also revealed that Villa are still trying to identify exactly what is wrong with Young, who last played in the

3-0 defeat at Liverpool on 6 December.

"Luke Young has seen a specialist. It is a tough time for him but work is continuing with the physios and doctors trying to get to the crux of the problem," he added.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport