Aston Villa close to £8m deal for Manchester City captain Dunne

28 August 2009 23:27
Aston Villa were feverishly trying to complete the £8million transfer of Richard Dunne from Manchester City on Friday night. [LNB]The Ireland defender toured Villa's training complex, then returned up the M6 to finalise his severance from Eastlands after nine years' service. With a three-year contract offer in place, monetary issues still had to be resolved with City's owners before Dunne would agree to join.[LNB] Switch: Richard Dunne is poised to join Aston Villa, who have been trying hard to sign a centre back[LNB]O'Neill said: 'Richard likes the place. Whatever you say, leaving Manchester City is still a big thing. It's been part of his life now for quite a considerable time.'[LNB]O'Neill explained why it has taken him all summer to fill the hole left by Martin Laursen, saying that broken promises and the over-pricing of potential signings from abroad frustrated him.[LNB]In mid-July, he indicated Villa would not be weakened by allowing players to leave. A few days later, O'Neill sanctioned Zat Knight's £3.5m switch to Bolton without finding a replacement. He hinted that he had been let down. He did not specify, but it is certain the player in question was Sylvain Distin, who has quit Portsmouth for Everton.[LNB]'When we let Zat go, we were hoping to do something,' he said. 'However, it's clear from what happened that you should never rest on any 'assurance'.'[LNB] ASTON VILLA v Fulham: Wanock in line for debut but Davies is a major doubtPortsmouth v MANCHESTER CITY: No worries for Mark Hughes as big spenders head southASTON VILLA FC

Source: Daily_Mail