Tottenham Hotspur stopper Anthony Gardner has become the subject of a tug of war between Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Sven Goran-Eriksson is know to be a big admirer of the defender nicknamed ‘Snoop’, and won an England cap during the Swede’s tenure as boss of the England national side.

Gardner needs to move in if he is to get regular first-team football, with competition for places at Spurs known to be fierce with the likes of Michael Dawson, Ledley King, Younes Kaboul and Ricardo Rocha all battling it out for the centre-half positions at White Hart Lane.

A fee of £3million has been mentioned, which would prove to be good business for Martin Jol.