Villa complete Baros deal

Aston Villa have completed the signing of striker Milan Baros from Liverpool for £6.5m (€9.6m).

The Czech Republic striker, 23, was struggling for first-team football at Anfield but is now expected to partner Kevin Phillips or Juan Pablo Angel up front for Villa against Blackburn at the weekend.

Baros, who played 85 minutes of Liverpool’s Champions League final victory over AC Milan, top-scored at Euro 2004 with five goals.

Baros tied up a four-year contract at Villa Park this afternoon after successfully completing a medical.

He is expected to make his debut in Saturday’s home Premiership clash with Blackburn.

Villa manager David O’Leary has been desperate to sign a proven striker since selling Darius Vassell to Manchester City last month.

Baros was also the subject of interest from Lyon, who are managed by former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, and they tabled an £8million offer.

But Baros, who was also interesting German side Schalke, wanted to remain in the Premiership.

He initially came to prominence with Banik Ostrava before joining Liverpool in 2001.

His form was patchy on Merseyside but he remained prolific for his country.