Villa aim to make Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin their second summer signing once a deal for Stewart Downing is completed.

The Middlesbrough winger is expected to seal his £12million to Villa Park later today, before the claret and blues turn their attention to the Frenchman.

It is understood a bid of around £2.5million has been tabled, as Martin O’Neill looks to replace retired skipper Martin Laursen.

Distin, who nearly joined Villa once before when David O’Leary tried to sign the player in 2005, is likely to be offered a three-year deal, but the 31-year-old may have to accept a wage cut to move to the Midlands.

His arrival is expected to pave the way for Zat Knight to complete his move to Bolton, with O’Neill expected to make a move for a second centre-back once the former Fulham man joins the Trotters.