Emile Heskey, the England forward, could be set for a reunion with his former manager Martin O'Neill after Wigan Athletic accepted a bid from Aston Villa for his services.

Heskey, 31,is out of contract with the Latics at the end of the season and had been widely tipped to stay at the club until then - with Liverpool's interest in signing him on a Bosman transfer one of the worst kept secrets in the game.

But they could well have been gazumped by Villa, who agreed a price won Friday and will be allowed to discuss personal terms with the player.

Heskey has scored 16 goals in 89 appearances for Wigan since his arrival from Birmingham City in the summer of 2006.

O'Neill, the Villa manager, worked with Heskey at Leicester City, whom he left to join Liverpool in 2000. He left Anfield for Birmingham in 2004.

"I have kept an eye on Emile's career. Something levelled at Emile is that he doesn't score enough goals and I am sure he probably thinks exactly the same," said O'Neill.

"But it doesn't mean he hasn't made a massive difference in other areas. Confidence is always a big thing with Emile. When his confidence is high, he is always a player."