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Aston Villa confirm interest in signing Ashley Cole from Roma

Ashley Cole of Roma kicks the ball during a training session at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 17, 2015
Image: Ashley Cole has not played for Roma since April

Aston Villa are interested in bringing Roma left-back Ashley Cole back to England in January, manager Remi Garde has confirmed.

Cole, who made 229 Premier League appearances for Chelsea after joining them from Arsenal in 2006, left London for Rome in July 2014 on a free transfer, but has not played for the Italian club since March.

Villa, who have managed six points and languish at the bottom of the Premier League, have one win in 15 games this season and none under Garde ahead of their clash with Arsenal, live on Super Sunday.

They also have the worst goal difference in the division and Garde is in the market for a left-back after a season-ending knee injury to Jordan Amavi.

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"Every good player is interesting for me and Ashley is a good player," Garde said.

"He is someone who has experience but he didn't play for a while now. Experience is also something we need.

"I will speak soon with the club and I'm already working on the January window. We know what we want to do."

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Cole won seven trophies with Arsenal - including two Premier League titles - and eight with Chelsea, including the Champions league in 2011/12.

He was capped more than 100 times for England but has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot in Italy, making just 16 appearances in his debut term.

Out of contract at the end of the season, Roma could allow him to leave on loan or even agree to terminate his contract in January.