Source: Daily_Mail
Collins and Dunne poised to team up at Aston Villa in last-gasp double deal
Aston Villa have confirmed they have agreed a fee with West Ham for defender James Collins.
The Wales international is now discussing personal terms with the midlands club and must also complete a medical.
Villa are believed to be paying around £5million for Collins.
Villa's confidence in the deal going ahead is such that they have named Collins in their squad for tonight's home reserve game, ironically against the Hammers.
He looks set to join Richard Dunne in making the switch to Villa as the Manchester City centre-back is also having his medical.
Stoke were also in the hunt to sign Collins who has won 28 caps for Wales.
Collins began has career with Cardiff, making his debut nine years ago and he made 86 appearances for the Bluebirds before moving to Upton Park in 2005 along with his team-mate Danny Gabbidon in a £3.5m joint deal.
The 26-year-old formed an effective partnership with Anton Ferdinand in helping the Hammers defy the odds to avoid relegation during the 2006-2007 campaign.
Collins was sidelined for nine months when he suffered a knee ligament injury in January 2008.
Republic of Ireland international Dunne is poised to end his nine-year spell at City in a £6m deal.
Dunne's days at Eastlands appeared numbered after the arrival of Kolo Toure from Arsenal and then Joleon Lescott from Everton.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill is desperate to sign experienced defenders after the retirement of skipper Martin Laursen and the sale of Zat Knight to Bolton.
