Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson is expected to hold talks over a move to Villa Park by the end of the week.

Villa are battling it out with Middlesbrough for the 28-year-old, who is thought to be valued at around £5m by Spurs manager Juande Ramos.

The Villa manager, Martin O’Neill, Martin O’Neill has been keeping tabs on Robinson for some time, and, as revealed exclusively in last Wednesday’s Express & Star, the England international is keen on a move to the Second City to revive his flagging career.

It is believed discussions over a transfer are imminent and all parties will be keen to tie up a deal as quickly as possible.

Finding a new number one is a pressing matter for O’Neill with Villa’s first competitive fixture, their InterToto Cup away leg, little more than three weeks away.

Stuart Taylor is the sole senior stopper currently on the club’s books following Scott Carson’s return to Liverpool and Thomas Sorensen’s release.

Spurs are on the verge of completing the £10m capture of PSV’s Heurhelho Gomes, a move which signals the end of Robinson’s four-year stay at White Hart Lane.

The north London club can still expect to make a tidy profit on the £1.5m they paid Leeds in 2004. Ironically, Robinson was keen to move to Villa Park then, only for the club to decide against a move.

He is keen for a fresh start as he bids to force his way back into Fabio Capello’s England plans after recently being cast into the international wilderness.

And O’Neill can offer the added incentive of a likely UEFA Cup campaign – something Boro boss and former Villa defender Gareth Southgate is unable to offer.

Meanwhile, Sorensen could yet remain in the region with Stoke believed to be tracking the Dane along with Hull, another side preparing for their first season in the Barclays Premier League.

However, it is believed any move for the former Sunderland keeper would hinge on him being guaranteed the number one jersey.