Aston Villa hold Hull’s Huddlestone high on target list this summer

Tim Sherwood is hoping to bolster his Aston Villa squad further this summer, after the likely acquisition of Micah Richards, and Hull City’s Tom Huddlestone is next on the former Tottenham boss’ transfer target list.

It is believed a bid in the region of £5.5m will be tabled by the West Midlands outfit, having managed to secure their Premier League status this season, while Huddlestone’s current employers Hull were unable to avoid the dreaded drop to the Championship (10/3 with Coral to be promoted).

Former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley spent the recent campaign on loan at Villa Park, with Sherwood helping to rebuild his confidence and recapture some impressive form, as he helped the club avoid relegation and reach an FA Cup final against Arsenal, which ended in defeat.

Although, the rejuvenated midfielder snubbed a permanent move to Villa, instead opting to join Everton, meaning Sherwood has switched attentions to acquiring Huddlestone, who would significantly improve the midfield areas within his current set-up.

Villa will look to avoid being dragged into another potentially fatal battle at the bottom of the top-flight table next season (7/2 to be relegated), and the capture of Huddlestone could boost their chances of doing exactly that.

Sherwood reportedly wanted to obtain Jake Livermore from Hull this summer, but the midfielder was involved in a controversial off-field incident which has cast doubts over his long-term career, with a possible two-year ban hanging over his head.