Villa closing in on double deal

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.