Paul Merson is set to swoop on former club Aston Villa and clinch a deal for attacking midfielder Stephen Cooke. The 21 year old England youth star is wanted by the Saddlers on loan for the season. He started off at Bescot as a youngster before moving toManchester United’s School Of Excellence. Cooke returned to the Midlands with Villa after failing to settle up north. He has failed to establish himself with Villa and has spent time on loan at Bournemouth. Walsall aim to broker a deal that would see the Villains pay a percentage of Cooke’s wages. He would link up with another former Villa man – Michael Standing – in Walsall’s midfield.
