ASTON Villa are set to push Leeds United and Everton all the way in the fight for Alan Thompson's signature, writes Gordon Sharrock.

Villa boss John Gregory is confident he can win the race for the 24-year-old wantaway Wanderer.

Gregory and his chairman, Doug Ellis, plan to open talks with Wanderers next week and will ask permission to speak to the player who has invoked the get-out clause in his contract following the club's relegation from the Premiership.

The official approach will confirm the long-held suspicion that Thompson tops Gregory's summer shopping list.

Meanwhile, Gerry Taggart's future with Bolton Wanderers is in the balance following stalled contract negotiations.

Talks appear to have reached an impasse but the Northern Ireland international says it is premature to suggest his Reebok days are over.

"I've made no decision about my future," he insisted, "and it would certainly be wrong to say at this stage that I've finished with Bolton."

Taggart rejected a new contract offer at the turn of the year and appeared set for a free transfer in June under the Bosman ruling. Colin Todd said the club had gone as far as it could to satisfying the player's demands with a "lucrative" offer.

Since relegation, Taggart has been told the original deal is no longer on the table but the talks were amicable and encouraging.

"The chat seemed to go well and things that were said when the earlier talks broke down weren't repeated," he explained. "What they offered me in the first place has gone now but I'm sure we'll be having more talks."

Todd said: "The ball is now in Gerry's court. We made him an offer about three or four months ago, which he turned down. That offer has been withdrawn now and we've just asked him to keep us informed of what he's up to."

Taggart, who joined Wanderers from Barnsley for £1.5 million in August 1995, added: "I'd like to stay in the Premiership but I wouldn't just go to any club. At this stage I'm not thinking about this being the end of my days with Bolton.

"We'll just have to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks. At the moment it's not something that's really bothering me."

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