Aston Villa plan Grant Holt swoop as Paul Lambert looks to raid Wigan for his former striker

Lambert worked with the powerful frontman at Norwich and is set to rescue him from the Championship, where he has fallen out of favour with Wigan

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is making a shock move to team up with Grant Holt again - in a surprise raid on Wigan.           

Experienced striker Holt has had a hard time in the Championship since signing from Norwich and he is available.

And now Lambert - his old boss from Carrow Road days - is lining up a move to take him for the rest of the season.

Villa will have to pick up Holt’s wages in full but they will gladly do that as they fill a vacancy in their squad.

Lambert had looked at Everton’s Nikica Jelavic but refused to pay the asking price and wages - with Holt a cheaper option.

Wigan chief Uwe Rosler will let Holt go. He has struggled for fitness and form since injuring a knee soon after signing for Owen Coyle.

The move would give Wigan extra cash for signings of their own - and give them extra money to land Nicky Maynard from Cardiff City.