LONDON: England winger David Bentley is in talks with Aston Villa over a transfer to Martin O'Neill's team after being told he can leave Tottenham.

Bentley only moved to White Hart Lane from Blackburn in a 16-million-pound transfer last year but has fallen out of favour with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp.

The 24-year-old former Arsenal trainee is keen to find regular first team football and could be part of a swap deal, with Redknapp looking to exchange Bentley and Jermaine Jenas for Villa winger Ashley Young.

"I'm in talks with Villa at the moment," Bentley told The Sun. "I really don't want to say much more. But we'll see what happens. I'm hopeful of sorting it out as soon as possible."