Villa's Vassell set for Blues switch

Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell is close to completing a £2.5m (€3.6m) move to Manchester City providing he passes a medical.

The England international has returned from the club’s pre-season tour of Sweden and the Premiership sides have agreed a fee for the player.

The 25-year-old has only one year remaining on his contract and the arrival of Kevin Phillips from Southampton increased competition for places, with the injury-prone Vassell told by Villa manager David O’Leary he could go.

O’Leary told the club’s website, avfc.co.uk: “Darius was asked to go back to England and there was no reason to stop him.

“He’s gone back to have a medical and sign for Manchester City. I can’t say at the moment what the exact fee is, but I think it’s a fee that suits Aston Villa.”