Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Villa edge closer to Defoe deal
Thursday 17th January 2008, 2:32PM GMT.

Aston Villa were today edging closer to signing £10m-rated Jermain Defoe.
Sources in London say Defoe met Villa representatives for talks yesterday and today amid rumours from supporters the England international has bought a house in Lichfield.
Manager Martin O’Neill attended Villa youth team’s FA Youth Cup win at Colchester last night – and the club confirmed that O’Neill had not met Defoe at Bodymoor Heath yesterday contrary to reports.
But the source in the capital is adamant contact has been made from Villa to Defoe over the last two days and that the 25-year-old had been in the area.
Defoe, whose deal is up in June 2009, has become unsettled at White Hart Lane after refusing to sign a new contract and claims he has been made available for transfer by new boss Juande Ramos.
There is no suggestion any fee has been agreed between the clubs but Defoe is likely to cost around £10m.
The Villa boss has scotched talk of Wilfred Bouma leaving after the full-back was linked with a return to PSV.
Business Awards
Read the full story here
Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
LIVE traffic updates
Road, rail and airport - latest
Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
Hmm, not the same as saying ‘Defoe was not at Bodymoor’, or ‘O’Neill did not meet Defoe’
Report abuse
u know what pedro when i 1st read it i thought the exact same he denied he was at bodymoor but also said he wasnt there all day so he didnt deny he could of met him somewhere else or another player
Report abuse
anyway he was seen there this morning…
utv
Report abuse
My bro works at bodymoor heath & he said there was a player there yesterday, however it was not Defoe – it was Marlon King ( swap deal with cash involving Moore )
Report abuse
hes coming make no mistake. I understand the rumours of him looking for a house in Brum are more than just rumour.
Report abuse
Whose you’re bro Snout? Marlon King most certainly was not at BH yesterday.
Report abuse
if villa secure this transfer then great move for you guys
i honestly feel someone like a portsmouth or newcastle will hijacjk it. seems to gone so smoothly for villa so far
Report abuse
Can you imagine a strke partnership of King & Harewood! That really makes me want to to fork out another £475 on my season ticket.
Report abuse
marlon king is actually a very good striker thom
Report abuse
Not from what i’ve seen!
Report abuse
Marlon king has gone to fulham, he isn’t good enough for villa anyway and defoe is proven in the premierleague,unlike king. Gabby young carew n defoe as a strikeforce will definatly get us into europe!
Report abuse
Marlon King is on his way to fulham by the look of thins now they have agreed a fee with watford.Defoe will be going to pompey,they move swiftly in the transfer market,not like us again.
Report abuse
Tottenham’s potential huge loss, could turn out to be Aston Villa or Newcastle and Englands gain. Since the signings of Berbatov and Bent, Defoe has continously been descending down the Spurs pecking order. For a player with little first team action this season, he has had some notable impact scoring 2 goals in 3 appearances, only to be dropped again.
I can see Aston Villa being the more suited destination, with a lack of strike power he will almost certainly be the fist name on the team sheet. At St James Park he will have to battle with Martins, Viduka and Michael Owen arguably as competitve as his current club.
Another factor which might contribute to him perferring Villa other than Martin O’Neills presence, is the amount of English players thus potential friends at Villa Park. Fabio Capello could aswell reek the rewards from Defoes potential move, with no notable English in form striker. The 25 year-old needs to make the most out of his peak footballing age.
Report abuse
Defoe did look at a house this week in Sutton Coldfield not Lichfield but as yet has not made an offer. I know because the house is on my books!
Report abuse
Danille Lloyd (His Mrs)was in Stratford looking at at house yesterday.
Report abuse