Villa set to swoop for Kieran Richardson

The versatile 29-year-old is due to complete a medical and sign for the claret and blues tomorrow after being allowed to leave relegated Fulham.

He is likely to fill the problematic left-back position which Villa have struggled to solve over the last two years.

Joe Bennett and Antonio Luna were both brought in but Ryan Bertrand had to be signed on loan from Chelsea in January after they both failed to impress.

Villa are prepared to listen to offers for Bennett, who signed from Middlesbrough in 2012, and Luna who joined from Sevilla last year.

Left-footed Richardson had also been linked with a move to Albion – where he had a loan spell during their Great Escape season in 2004-05.

He scored in the 2-0 win over Portsmouth on the final day to secure Premier League survival after the Baggies were bottom at Christmas.

Richardson signed for Sunderland, under current Villa No.2 Roy Keane, for £5.5 from Manchester United in 2007.

He played 35 times under him, scoring five times, before Keane left the Stadium of Light in December 2008.

Richardson won the Premier League with United in 2006-07 and has eight England caps, with two goals.

He made 48 appearances for Fulham, scoring five times - including in the Cottagers' 2-1 win at Villa Park last season - after a £2m to west London in 2012.

He will become Villa's third summer signing after ex-Fulham team-mate Philippe Senderos and Joe Cole.