Ex-Liverpool and Chelsea star in stunning fall from grace as Aston Villa man set for loan

Joe Cole has made just one substitute appearance for Aston Villa this season

ASTON VILLA midfielder Joe Cole has held talks with manager Tim Sherwood over arranging a loan move to the Championship, according to reports.

The 33-year-old signed a two year contract at Villa Park in June after his release from a second spell at West Ham.
Once considered to be one of England's brightest prospects, Cole is now keen to gain some first-team football and is willing to drop a division to make it happen.

He has made just one appearance this season, as a substitute in the Capital Cup against Notts County.
After breaking onto the scene as a youngster at Upton Park, the then-England international became one of the first signings of the Roman Abramovich era at Chelsea.

Cole burst onto the scene as a youngster with West Ham

Manager Claudio Ranieri paid £6.6million to tempt him to Stamford Bridge, where he made more than 180 appearances.
He moved to Liverpool on a free transfer in June 2010 but struggled to settle and his career spiralled spectacularly.

Chelsea paid £6.6million to make Cole one of their first signings after Roman Abramovich took over

After signing for Liverpool in 2010 he struggled to settle

After an encouraging stint in France with Lille, he re-signed for the Hammers but was released before joining Villa.
And he has not been able to hold down a place in the first team since.
The Telegraph claim he will now be allowed to leave to anyone willing to pay his £20,000-a-week wages.