Aston Villa weigh up loan move for Cummings after Colorado striker impresses in training



By Sportsmail Reporter

Up for grabs: Colorado Rapids' Omar Cummings



Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier is close to deciding whether or not to sign Colorado Rapids striker Omar Cummings on a short-term loan deal.



Houllier has been impressed with the Jamaica international while he has been training with Villa.



Cummings can link up with Villa until the Major League Soccer season begins in March should Houllier decide to offer him a deal.



Houllier said: 'I see Omar getting better and better with every training session.



'I will make a decision about him soon. It will be a loan deal and we would need a work permit.'



Meanwhile Gary McAllister has challenged Villa to climb clear of relegation trouble after the 'psychological boost' of moving out of the Barclays Premier League bottom three.

Assistant manager McAllister was full of praise for the way Villa recovered to earn a point from a 1-1 draw in the derby clash with Birmingham at St Andrew's.

James Collins' deflected shot cancelled out the Blues' opener from another central defender in Roger Johnson.



King James: Aston Villa defender Collins gave his side a huge boost with the late leveller at heated local rivals Birmingham City on Sunday

McAllister said: 'We are fully aware a little run of results can get you moving up this league because it is ever so tight at the moment.



'It's a plus psychologically to be out of the bottom three when you pick the papers up.



'But we are working to pull ever further away from the position we are in. That's the target.

Future planning: Villa manager Gerard Houllier (left)

'We are aware of who've we played and who we haven't played and what sort of run of games we've got coming up.



'We don't like being in this position but there is going to be a period where we feel we can pick up points.'

There have been question marks over Villa's team spirit but McAllister insists results are the key factor at any club. He said: 'Team spirit totally evolves around results. People say it comes from going for a Chinese meal together and a few beers. No.



'Team spirit gets better with results and if we can get a wee run of results, everything will get better.



'It was important to come here and not lose but we didn't set our stall out to get a point.



'It is a derby, against big rivals, and when you are against them, you want to win games for everyone concerned - the players, the fans, the club.'



