Former West Ham United defender James Collins has joined Aston Villa training and could be offered a deal to don the Villa jersey this season.
The Championship outfit have had a rather slow start to their campaign and gaffer Steve Bruce is very unconvinced the way his defence has performed so far.
The manager has used Tommy Elphick and Mile Jedinak to partner James Chester in the heat of the Villa backline but has been on the lookout for Chester’s new defensive partner.
Collins left the Hammers last season and has been without a club since then. The 35 year old was supposed to join Ipswich Town and even was training with them during the international break. But the defender suffered a hamstring injury and now he is unlikely to join them.
Ipswich gaffer Paul Hurst confirmed the development. “I’ve been made aware he won’t be signing for Ipswich Town – I’m surprised we’ve not seen anything in the press in some shape or form. I had a message from James and that deal is dead and buried now.”
Collins also had earlier stints with Villa when the side used to ply their trade in the Premier League and could be back in the Midlands in a bid to rebuild his career.
