Sunderland have bid for Aston Villa defender rejected

Sunderland have reportedly had a bid for Aston Villa captain Micah Richards rejected, according to the Daily Mail.

Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce is desperate to strengthen a defence that has conceded a league-high 46 goals, but has had an initial approach for the Villa skipper turned down.

Despite being 10 points from safety with 15 matches left to play this term, the Midlands outfit aren’t keen to let the former Manchester City man go, especially to a side that is one place above them in the Premier League table.

Richards, who has 13 England caps to his name, signed a four-year deal at Villa Park in January 2015.