Villa ready to make new Phillips bid in summer

David O'Leary attempted to prise Phillips away from St Mary's during the transfer window in a £2m deal, but was turned down by the 31-year-old who wanted to stay and play his part in Saints' relegation battle.

Yet sources close to Villa last night confirmed that O'Leary has not given up hope of landing the former England international.

Phillips has been out of Saints' league starting line-up since mid-January following an ankle injury and then the arrival of Senegalese striker Henri Camara.

But boss Harry Redknapp has admitted he is considering a recall for the fans' favourite who has so far scored 11 goals this season - the last of which was as a sub against Chelsea a fortnight ago.

Phillips was signed by Gordon Strachan in August 2003 for £3.25m on a three-year deal with the option of a further year.

Villa boss O'Leary remains keen to strengthen his goalscoring options after failing to tempt James Beattie during the January transfer window and last summer.

O'Leary has apparently been given a war-chest of around £20m to spend this summer by Villa chairman Doug Ellis and is understood to be a big admirer of Phillips.

Ironically, Villa sold Peter Crouch to Saints last summer at what now looks a bargain deal of £2m.

The 6ft 7ins striker has scored 13 goals this season - the same as the combined tally of Villa's four main strikers.

Juan Pablo Angel has scored eight, Darius Vassell three, Carlton Cole two and Luke Moore just one.

Crouch has scored nine league goals in just nine starts plus 14 as a sub for Saints compared to just six in 20 starts plus 17 as a sub for Villa.

Saints captain Claus Lundekvam, meanwhile, has apologised for the club's dire performance against Blackburn in Saturday's 3-0 defeat.

He said: "I feel so sorry for the fans because they were superb and they deserved a lot better.

"We let them down badly and did not give them anything back for their magnificent support.

"The important thing now is to put it right by beating Villa."