Former Wolves star dies

Former Aston Villa and Wolves midfielder Paul Birch has died at the age of 46 after a battle with cancer.

Birch, who was diagnosed with bone cancer in May last year, died yesterday morning at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, a spokesman confirmed.

Birch made more than 200 appearances for Villa between 1980 and 1991 before he was sold to Wolves.