Aston Villa are believed to be close to completing the signing of French midfielder Yacouba Sylla.
The 22-year old currently plays for French Ligue 2 side Clermont and will bring a defensive mind as Paul Lambert looks for someone to sit in front of his back four.
Lambert and Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner were close to sealing the deal on Wednesday evening and it is believed that a £1.7million agreement will be completed on Thursday.
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