Hugo Rodallega, Maynor Figueroa, and Momo Sissoko All Connected to Aston Villa

Take these for what you will, as they are of course just rumors. But Sky Sports has Villa looking to grab Maynor Figueroa and Hugo Rodallega from Wigan Athletic, and the Daily Mail reports the club as being interested in the unhappy Momo Sissoko. Of the two rumors, I'd place the most credence in that of Sky, and it's the more interesting. Within the Wigan possibility, there's some help for the left side of the defense, and there's also a competent striker in the bargain.

Sky has the two coming to Villa for a combined £10 million. That seems a bit high to me, but if Randy Lerner is willing to spend it, who are we to stop him? Anything to keep us well away from the drop at this point. Rodallega's already scored five goals this campaign after netting ten last year for the Latics. Honduran national Figueroa has been a part of Wigan's -15 differential defense this year. He doesn't look like the best part of this deal to me.

That Sky article also mentions that Villa have put in another offer for Charlie Adams, but who knows what's happening there at this point?

Sissoko had a nice run at Liverpool a few years ago, but seems to have fallen out of favor at Juventus now. He's clearly unhappy there, but I have to imagine that these talks (if they are even happening) are serving as back-up should the Makoun deal fall through. The asking price of £6 million seems a bit steep to me.

What say you all, though? Any of these players pique your interest? I'd certainly be happy to have Rodallega up front for us, but the rest of the chatter gives me a big feeling of "meh." Let's get this Makoun deal done already, why don't we.