ASTON Villa are hoping to spark a bidding war for defender Gary Cahill.

The Midlands club turned down a bid from Wanderers on Friday, believed to be just shy of their £4million valuation for the former England Under-21 man.

News of the marker set by Martin O'Neill's side might well alert the attention of the 22-year-old's other Premiership suitors - Birmingham City, Derby County and Sunderland, all of whom are desperate to boost their squad before the close of the transfer window on Thursday.

For full story see Saturday's The Bolton News