Aston Villa FC

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• Manager:Gerard Houllier

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Villa agree Reo-Coker fee

04 Jul 2007 - 17:01:48

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Aston Villa have moved a step closer to signing West Ham United midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker after agreeing an £8.5million transfer fee for the 23-year-old.

Villa had an initial £7million offer for the England Under-21 captain rejected by the Hammers, but the two clubs have finally reached an agreement.

Reo-Coker has been given permission to travel to Villa Park to begin talks and is expected to complete his move to Martin O'Neill's side on Thursday.

The England Under-21 international has been linked with Villa since handing in a transfer request at Upton Park at the end of last season.

The former Wimbledon midfielder cited a lack of support from the club's hierarchy after enduring a difficult season when he was singled out by disgruntled fans for criticism.

O'Neill has already sold Gavin McCann to Bolton Wanderers this summer, while Northern Ireland international Steven Davis is set to join Fulham for around £5million.

Unsettled Chelsea and England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips continues to be linked with a summer move to Villa, as does Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe.

Reo-Coker scored 11 goals in 142 appearances for West Ham following his transfer from Wimbledon in January 2004.