Aston Villa and Newcastle United are battling for Marseille left-back Taye Taiwo.
The People says Villa boss Gerard Houllier wants the powerful Taiwo, 25, and is keen to beat Newcastle to his signature - with a deal close as the French-based defender will become a free agent in the summer.
Taiwo can sign a pre-contract agreement because his talks with Marseille have broken down.
The imposing defender had a solid game against Manchester United in the Champions League last week when he was drafted in to mark Nani.
