Birmingham City close to signing Curtis Davies from Aston Villa

Curtis Davies is expected to follow the example of Liam Ridgewell and Craig Gardner by swapping Aston Villa for Birmingham City. The central defender has been given permission to hold talks with Villa's rivals as Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager, looks to strengthen his options in central defence in the wake of losing Scott Dann to a hamstring injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the season. Davies, 25, cost Villa £9m when he completed his move from West Bromwich Albion a little more than three years ago but he was told in the summer that the club were willing to consider offers for him after he slipped down the pecking order. It is understood Villa have lowered their asking price to £1.75m up front with the rest to follow in add-ons. Should the transfer to Birmingham fall through, Leicester City will offer Davies a second loan spell with the Championship club.