Villa agree £9.5m N'Zogbia deal

Aston Villa have agreed a fee, believed to be in the region of £9.5m, with Wigan Athletic for the signing of winger Charles N'Zogbia. The French international was last night discussing personal terms with the club.

Villa said they hoped to complete the deal later this week as they rebuild following the sales of Stewart Downing and Ashley Young. The Villa manager, Alex McLeish, came close to signing N'Zogbia (right), 25, last summer when in charge at Birmingham City, although the deal collapsed over personal terms.

He also saw a bid rejected for the former Newcastle United player earlier this month but McLeish has now returned for the Wigan player after the sales of Young and Downing to Manchester United and Liverpool, respectively, left him short of progressive midfielders. N'Zogbia, who would be out of contract at Wigan next summer, is likely to have to wait to join up with Villa's first-team squad. They are currently on a pre-season tour of Hong Hong and N'Zogbia does not have the required work visa. He would instead train at Villa's Bodymoor Heath training complex if and when the transfer is finally completed.

Valencia president Manuel Llorente has attempted to end speculation over Juan Mata's future by insisting his club will not sell the attacker at any price. Arsenal have been linked to the 23-year-old. "Money will not change our position. Valencia will not sell to any club that wants to buy Mata," he said.