Aston Villa are reportedly preparing a £7 million swoop for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is a big fan of the England striker and will make his move during the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mirror.

Defoe has fallen out of favour at White Hart Lane and has managed just two goals this season after falling behind Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov and Mido in Martin Jol's pecking order.

O'Neill is desperate to add a top striker to his Villa squad to help their push for a European place but it remains to be seen whether Spurs would be willing to sell, having reportedly rejected offers for his services in the summer.

Liverpool have been strongly linked with Defoe in the past, but they look set up front after the summer capture of Dutch ace Dirk Kuyt.