 Heskey has scored three times for Wigan this season
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Aston Villa are believed to be closing in on signing Wigan striker Emile Heskey for a fee of about £3m.
Heskey, who is out of contract in the summer, had initially said he would see out the rest of his deal and decide on his future at the end of the season.
But Villa are hoping a deal can be done within 24 hours after talks between the two clubs took place on Thursday night.
"I've kept an eye on Emile's career and when he's confident he's a top player," said Villa boss Martin O'Neill.
"Something levelled at Emile is that he doesn't score enough goals and I am sure he probably thinks exactly the same.
"But it doesn't mean he hasn't made a massive difference in other areas. Confidence is always a big thing for Emile."
O'Neill managed Heskey while in charge at Leicester and the 31-year-old helped the Foxes to League Cup triumphs in 1997 and 2000.
The Irishman is still grateful to Heskey for "playing fairly" by the club when he moved to Liverpool for £11m in 2000.
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"We were desperately disappointed when he moved but he said he wanted to go and play with Michael Owen at Liverpool - but he did his part for Leicester.
"He signed a new contract and we eventually got £11m for him when he could easily have gone and played abroad for a year, because of his age and rules at that time, and we wouldn't have got any money. He played fairly by Leicester."
Heskey would bolster Villa's attacking options, joining a strikeforce that includes John Carew, Marlon Harewood, Gabriel Agbonlahor and youngster Nathan Delfouneso.
Villa are currently fourth in the table and pushing for a Champions League spot.
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