First Artist - do i see the first signs of recovery?

oligoad - looks like you might be right......

Aston Villa's chairman Doug Ellis has confirmed that the club have made a £6m bid for Southampton striker James Beattie.

"It's up now to the club to give us the authority to meet the boy and draw up a contract if he wishes to come," Ellis told BBC Five Live.

Premiership rivals Newcastle and Everton are also believed to be in the hunt for the England forward.

Beattie's sale is expected to fund Southampton manager Harry Redknapp's plans to buy the players he needs to boost the club's relegation fight.

Southampton have already been linked to Liverpool duo Stephane Henchoz and Igor Biscan.