Aston Villa are set to make a £5million swoop for Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson - and may now get the go-ahead for talks with Steve Sidwell.

Robinson has been looking to quit White Hart Lane since falling out with Juande Ramos towards the end of last season and the imminent arrival of PSV stopper Heurhelho Gomes will push him further down the pecking order.

Martin O'Neill can also promise the 28-year-old first-team football now Scott Carson has returned to Liverpool and he is now expected to hold talks at Villa Park this week.

He should be joined be Steve Sidwell who has now met Chelsea officials to discuss his compensation package. A £5.5million bid has already been agreed in principle for the former Reading midfielder, but Villa cannot press ahead with the transfer until Sidwell has reached an agreement with the Blues.