Villa want Red Devils star and other red-hot gossip

(03-10-2010) Aston Villa are hot on the heels of Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick. According to reports, new Villa boss Gerard Houllier is a big admirer of the England star and rates him as one of the best passers of the ball in British football. Carrick however has vowed to remain at Old Trafford for life. Carrick cost United £18million from Tottenham four years ago. Elsewhere, Manchester City are preparing an astonishing £90m deal to bring defender Gerard Pique to Eastlands from Barcelona; Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is eyeing Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross but may have to sell first to raise money to buy the centre-half; Everton boss David Moyes wants to land Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on loan; and Manchester City will offer goalkeeper Shay Given a new contract in January in an effort to prevent the current second-choice stopper leaving the club.