Holland stalls, but Kinsella closer to Villa

IPSWICH captain Matt Holland has rejected a £4.5m move to Aston Villa, but another Irish international, Charlton captain Mark Kinsella, could be on his way to Villa Park and held talks with the club yesterday.

The Addicks have accepted a bid, believed to be £750,000.

Ipswich and Villa had agreed a fee for Holland but agent Jonathan Barnett revealed that Villa had to increase their personal terms considerably for Holland to agree to the switch.

Barnett met Villa chairman Doug Ellis and finance director Mark Ansell yesterday but confessed they were miles apart over figures.

‘‘For Matt to move to Villa a lot of things need to happen. Matt was very flattered by their interest, as I was. I was very impressed with Villa and I conveyed that to Matt.

‘‘But we are miles apart. Perhaps they will now have a chat among themselves and come back with something else.’’

And Barnett added: ‘‘Matt Holland does not want to leave Ipswich Town. He has not asked to leave and if Aston Villa want him they have got to pay for him.

The 28-year-old, who played just three minutes of Ireland’s game against Finland on Wednesday night, had appeared reluctant to leave Ipswich, where he has four years of his lucrative contract remaining. He also has a young family settled in Colchester.

Villa boss Graham Taylor, meanwhile, has insisted he will not make any panic moves into the transfer market as he bides his time over a double swoop for Holland and Charlton’s Mark Kinsella.

Taylor was in negotiations with midfielder Kinsella following the player’s return from international duty with the Republic and his arrival looks more straightforward with the Addicks confirming they had received an inquiry from Villa for the 30-year-old.

A statement read: ‘‘The midfielder is aware of the situation and it is understood that the matter is under consideration but no decision has been reached.’’

Taylor admits Villa are desperately short of midfield players following the departure of George Boateng and Paul Merson a few weeks ago.

Taylor, however, does not envisage signing either player before the weekend.

‘‘I’ve been reluctant to push any further because we do not know at this stage if the deals will go through.

‘‘I hope they do because with these details coming out I hope it shows we have not been sitting on our backsides.

‘‘In the case of Matty Holland it hasn’t just been a case of a sudden interest. Negotiations behind the scenes have been taking place for some time.

‘‘What I will not allow myself to do is go out and sign someone because the transfer window deadline kicks in on August 31.

‘‘If you do that in desperation you live to regret it. I admit it would have been easy to have signed a midfield player but I want them as a pair.

‘‘To be fair to the club I told them I wanted both as we need the competition and experience.

‘‘They are two players who know what midfield play is all about. In particular they know the possession of the ball in the Premiership is vital.

‘‘Matt Holland has a situation where he is at a club who think very highly of him.The supporters think the world of him and obviously he has a very nice contract at Ipswich.

‘‘I have spoke to Mark Kinsella and that is why I am hopeful that both will eventually be persuaded to join Villa.’’