AEK Athens end Joleon Lescott's Aston Villa nightmare
Joleon Lescott has ended his nightmare 12-month stay at Villa after joining AEK Athens on a free transfer.
The 34-year-old former Wolves and Albion defender yesterday sealed his exit from Villa Park by signing a two-year deal with the Greek club. Lescott, who cost Villa £2.5million when he joined from the Baggies a year ago, incurred the wrath of fans as the club plummeted out of the Premier League.
His exit, a little more than 48 hours before the closure of the transfer window, removes another major headache for manager Roberto Di Matteo and the prospect of the club having to pay off the defender had he remained beyond Wednesday's deadline. Gabriel Agbonlahor and Adama Traore are now the only players the club are looking to offload, with the main focus on incomings as Di Matteo looks for a successful end to his long search for a striker.
Hull City's Abel Hernandez remains the Italian's preferred target, though Bristol City's Jonathan Kodjia and Nottingham Forest's Britt Assombalonga remain options. A move for Middlesbrough winger Albert Adomah appears to have collapsed, however, with the Ghana international reluctant to drop into the Championship.
Libor Kozak meanwhile enjoyed an excellent Bank Holiday Monday, scoring a hat-trick as Villa's under-23s ran out 4-0 winners against Newcastle.
