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Villa plan £14m double swoop

Villa manager Martin O’Neill will again attempt to roll out the big bucks in January to complete the next phase of his rebuilding programme.

O’Neill’s focus is now on finding specialist options for the full-back positions and a £14m double hit for Liverpool’s John Arne Riise and Porto’s Jose Bosingwa has emerged as the dream solution.

O’Neill wanted both in the summer and thought he had snagged Liverpool’s Norwegian international in a £6m deal.

But the move fell through when the Anfield club failed to sign his intended replacement Gabriel Heinze after a bitter war of words with Manchester United.

Riise, who even sold his house in anticipation of a move to the Midlands, is still ready to come and O’Neill is hoping a fresh approach in the new year can do the trick.