Aston Villa are set make an official bid for Blackburn Rovers star Roque Santa Cruz, with boss Martin O’Neill looking to bring in another striker to Villa Park, according to reports.

However, to gain the strikers signature the manager will have to fight off competition from Manchester City, who are also showing keen interest in the Paraguayan International. With former Rovers boss Mark Hughes now at the Eastlands Stadium.

26-year old Santa Cruz has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, but Blackburn manager Paul Ince is keen for the prolific striker to stay at Ewood Park.

Santa Cruz, who joined Blackburn from Bayern Munich last summer for £3.5million, impressed everyone scoring 23-goals in his first Premiership season.