Keeper Robinson keen on Villa move

Martin O’Neill could have found the answer to his goalkeeping crisis after it emerged that Paul Robinson would be keen on a move to Villa Park.

The Spurs keeper has been on Villa’s radar for some time, with O’Neill in the market for two new goalkeepers following the release of Thomas Sorensen and Scott Carson’s return to Liverpool.

They will have to battle it out with Middlesbrough for the England international’s signature, although it is believed Robinson would favour a move to the Second City.

This is where he would have the chance to work under O’Neill, as well as potentially be involved in a UEFA Cup campaign.

The 28-year-old was all for joining Villa four years ago but the club decided against it. He then moved to Spurs for £1.5m.

He is currently out of favour under Juande Ramos – his last appearance came in March in the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle – and seems certain to leave White Hart Lane this summer, in a bid to regain his place in the international setup.

Right now there are few better places he could do that than at Villa Park.

Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Curtis Davies have all been called up by Fabio Capello since his appointment.

Ironically, it was Carson’s form at Villa Park last season which displaced Robinson between the sticks for England’s crunch Euro 2008 qualifier with Croatia in November.

Just as Robinson’s form was affected by an error against Slaven Bilic’s men in the away tie, so too was Carson’s, with both men’s domestic form suffering.

While Carson remains an option, O’Neill and Reds counterpart Rafa Benitez are a long way apart in their valuations of the player, who has hit out at the Spaniard’s £10m asking price.

Barry’s move to Anfield appeared no closer today with Villa still to receive a fourth bid, while there was no update on Steve Sidwell’s anticipated arrival from Chelsea, with a deal still to be fully agreed.

But Villa’s Intertoto Cup home leg will take place on July 26 with kick-off at 5.15pm.