With Villa too close to the wrong end of the table for comfort, and potentially heading for a lucrative takeover, the forward line looks set to be one of the first to be bolstered by David O'Leary. Despite having brought in Milan Baros and Kevin Phillips over the summer, the Villans have only the misfiring Juan Pablo Angel and youngster Luke Moore in reserve.
The Daily Mirror, who have been worryingly accurate with some of their rumours in recent weeks, have the midlanders set for a £3million bid in the new year. They mention that Nigel Worthington is keen to keep his record signing, but fail to notice that Ashton, who only joined the club last January, signed an extension to his contract in pre-season.
The rumours will do little to help the club, who continue to stutter their way through their first season back in the Championship, although the team spirit so crucial in achieving promotion last time around seems to have finally reared its head in Saturday's comeback at Coventry.