Aston Villa and Portsmouth are battling for Tottenham fullback Pascal Chimbonda.

The Mirror says Chimbonda, 29, asked Tottenham for an explanation for his omission against Bolton and was told that he could find himself a new club as he would no longer be playing a part at White Hart Lane.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has wasted no time in registering his interest in the former Wigan full-back, who joined Spurs for £4.5m in August, 2006 and can play on either side.