Premier League - Villa in talks with Friedel

Eurosport - Sat, 26 Jul 09:01:00 2008

Aston Villa have been given permission to offer a contract to Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

2008 Blackburn Rovers Brad Friedel - 0

Villa have had a bid accepted for the 37-year-old American, believed to be around £2.5m.

It is also thought that Rovers will not green-light the deal until they have secured the services of a replacement, with Tottenham Hotspur's Paul Robinson their number one target.

"We've been given permission to talk to the player and that's something that we want to do. But there are still lots of things to happen," said manager Martin O'Neill.

"We're in the process of strengthening the squad and this is all part of our efforts to add strength in depth."

Villa are close to snatching unsettled Tottenham Hotspur defender Younes Kaboul from under Sunderland's nose after making a second bid for him.

Kaboul's agent had said his client would not play for Sunderland even "if there was an earthquake" but the Frenchman appeared set to sign for the Wearsiders anyway.

The 22-year-old would surely relish the chance to move to Villa Park if Tottenham accept the offer.

O'Neill also confirmed that the club are discussing contract extensions for several players, including Gabriel Agbonlahor, John Carew, Stiliyan Petrov and Ashley Young

"We are in the throes of things," O'Neill told the Birmingham Mail.

"We have been talking to a number of players, players' agents and that is something that we are looking at."

Alex Chick / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 16 of 16

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  1. Why have we not had talk,s with a cracking young keeper Ben Foster he done well for Watford and made there rubbish season not look as bad as it could and should have been with out him he is youth Friedel is getting on and i fill with all our youth we need to keep on that road look out Man Utd here come,s the Greatest team in the world Aston Villa

    From JULIE G, on Sat 26 Jul 7:41AM

  2. well friedel should just stay in astonvilla because the team still needs him

    From whiz boy, on Sat 26 Jul 2:57AM

  3. bluenose scum

    From tom, on Fri 25 Jul 11:23PM

  4. he is one of the bests keeper in the premiership and i mean it

    From david l, on Fri 25 Jul 10:50PM

  5. why did my last comment only get listed for 5 seconds?......gareth who?

    From glenn b, on Fri 25 Jul 10:12PM

  6. Villa fan for 35 yrs..........gareth who???!!

    From glenn b, on Fri 25 Jul 10:10PM

  7. Why buy a 37 year old keeper? If Blackburn dont want him why do we.

    From bonalba, on Fri 25 Jul 9:16PM

  8. Blackburn have now signed Paul Robinson from Spurs so it looks like Brad's going 2 Aston Villa.

    From justinbowie1, on Fri 25 Jul 8:30PM

  9. @#$%

    From mike66howie, on Fri 25 Jul 7:40PM

  10. if we get Frieldel we might make to the top 5

    From Joey, on Fri 25 Jul 5:50PM

  11. davyedwards must be a liverpool fan. they dont seem to like the villa, god knows why? may be because they are now looking over their shoulders and all they can see is claret and blue......

    From ja_robo, on Fri 25 Jul 4:18PM

  12. glad we didnt get carsson he was ropey friedel will do for a season maybe be but he is 37! as for barry he has shot himself in the foot he aint going to liverpool so he better do some grovelling to the fans!

    From ollycarter, on Fri 25 Jul 4:01PM

  13. villa are not going anywhere,
    your @#$%

    From BallsDeep, on Fri 25 Jul 3:58PM

  14. why did we let sorenson go he was the best keeper weve had in ages just because an over rated manager doesnt like him plus why did carson sign for 3.5m when we got told 10m for him

    From jamsie_boy2002, on Fri 25 Jul 3:38PM

  15. Hopefull we get Friedel and Barry Stays, certainly would give us the belief we can finsih in the top six again this season.

    From DW, on Fri 25 Jul 3:23PM

  16. THE VILLA ROCK!!!UTV!!!SOTC!!!!5-1!!!!

    From rich w, on Fri 25 Jul 3:19PM
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