Villa closing in on double deal
Wednesday 31st August 2011, 8:59AM BST.
Villa will today wrap up the signings of full-backs Alan Hutton from Tottenham and Enda Stevens from Shamrock Rovers but they face a race against time to sign a midfielder before the deadline.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted last night that he did not know if Villa had made a formal bid to sign Hutton but it is understood that negotiations for the defender are at an advanced stage.
“Alan’s a good player. He’s been away playing for Scotland and Alex McLeish knows him, so it may well be a possibility,” said Redknapp.
The need to sign defensive reinforcements is even more pressing after it emerged that American right-back Eric Lichaj could be out for up to four months with a hip injury.
Lichaj, who scored his first senior goal and Villa’s winner in the Carling Cup clash with Hereford, had been carrying a knock and reported some discomfort in the reserve team’s 1-1 draw with Wigan on Monday.
Tests have revealed the 22-year-old defender suffered a tear in his hip which could him rule him out until just before Christmas, leaving Chris Herd as the only fit right-back.
Villa will also finalise a deal for Ireland Under-21 defender Stevens but the youngster will not join until January to enable him to play in Shamrock’s Europa League games.
McLeish’s search for a midfielder is ongoing.
UK Sport
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