Aston Villa says N'Zogbia deal very close

Aston Villa says N'Zogbia deal very close - New Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish said on Tuesday French midfielder Charles N'Zogbia to the club for £ 9,500,000 ($ 15,500,000) will join up to a medical.

Villa have agreed a price with Wigan for the winger, after the improvement on a first bid of £ 9,000,000, so that McLeish at the prospect excited by the quality on the flanks after the departure of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing.

"We believe everything is there," McLeish said in Hong Kong. "I think he is a great asset to the team." He's an explosive player and gives us a bit of quality that one or two of the guys that have left the team replaced. "

After we cut a deal to bring N'Zogbia to Birmingham City last summer to fall apart over personal view is McLeish happy closes in on his man in a second club.

Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov said N'Zogbia was always a tough opponent, which is particularly well against the club he now seems to have played the join was.

"He is in a position to take on players," Petrov said. "He's an exceptional talent. I think he will adapt well is."

Petrov noted that the Frenchman, who is on an extended leave after duty with the French national team, much in demand.

"He's a name that many big clubs were chasing, and we were able to land him before anyone else could get him first," Petrov added.

With the addition of the new No. 1 Shay Given, who has completed his £ 3.5 million move from Manchester City, hopes the manager of the Birmingham club you get to a flying start.

McLeish gave it's hard for clubs like Aston Villa compete for British players, and he played the prospects of improvement last season, Villa finished in ninth place.

"Some of the prices are pretty incredible," he said. "We are also looking at our own finances at the club and tried to always get it right. Randy Lerner is a man who trusted Aston Villa player. There is no doubt we will run our sums right with respect to the way the club to . get "

Aston Villa are in Hong Kong for the Barclays Asia Trophy exhibition tournament, and face Blackburn on Wednesday night.