Man Utd and Ireland star to join Stephen Ireland at Villa?

New Aston Villa boss Gerrard Houllier wants to bring Manchester United and Irish international star Darron Gibson to Villa Park, according to reports in today's Daily Mirror.

Gibson, 23, has found it tough becoming anything more than a squad player amongst Sir Alex Ferguson's current set-up at Old Trafford, while Houllier believes the midfielder could walk right into his Aston Villa starting XI.

The Mirror believes that Villa are tentatively drawing up plans to acquire the Irish international's service on loan or on a permanent basis when the January transfer window swings open once more. It is believed the prospect of guaranteed first-team football may be enough to lure Gibson, though whether or not United would be willing to part with the player is another question altogether.

Gibson has previously completed two loan spells at Wolves and Royal Antwerp, and holds just starting appereances in a United shirt.