Jens Lehmann has emerged as a shock short term goalkeeping fix for Villa.

The 37-year-old veteran Arsenal keeper, who is being released from the Emirates Stadium, is being eyed by the Villa top brass.

Villa are set to lose two and possibly three keepers this summer, with Thomas Sorensen out of contract, Scott Carson due to return to Liverpool and long term understudy Stuart Taylor’s future unclear.

Boss Martin O’Neill wants to sign £2m-rated Chivas USA shotstopper Brad Guzan, but ideally wants a No 1 with plenty of Premier League experience.

Lehmann has now come under the microscpe and could yet extend his Premier League career after being linked with Manchester City earlier this season until the emergence of Joe Hart as a top class keeper.

Meanwhile O’Neill has called on former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker to “deal” with the hostile reception he will get at Upton Park on Sunday.

Reo-Coker makes his first return to East London since his £7.5m transfer to Villa last summer. “He won’t be the only player who has gone back (to West Ham and got stick),” said O’Neill.

“Frank Lampard has gone back every single time and got stick. The crowd live it for the day and then pass it on to someone else in a fortnight’s time. Those things you have to cope with.

“He laughed it off at Villa Park and that’s what you have to do.

“This should not be a major concern. You can have a pre-meditated booing, which will probably take place here, or it can happen on the spur of the moment.”