By Alasdair Lamont
**Rangers striker Kris Boyd has held talks with Premier League club Aston Villa over a possible move.**The 26-year-old is weighing up his options, with a new contract on offer from the Ibrox club, with Birmingham City and Middlesbrough also interested.
Any move to Villa would be on a pre-contract basis, with Rangers yet to receive any bids for Boyd this month.
The Scottish Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer is sidelined until mid-February after a hernia operation.
Boyd’s agent discussed a new deal with chief executive Martin Bain earlier this month. Rangers manager Walter Smith is keen to retain his services.
The striker was named Clydesdale Bank Premier League player of the month for December and his goals have helped Rangers move nine points clear at the top of the table.