Villa close on Crespo and Ayew sigings

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Crespo was part of the 2006 UEFA Cup-winning squad during his time at Sevilla, where he began his career, and has also played for Racing Santander and the Italian sides Padova, Bologna and Verona.

The former Spain U21 international can play on the left or the right but was unable to prevent Cordoba’s relegation from La Liga last season and now appears poised to join fellow Spaniard Carles Gil at Villa Park.

Cordoba posted on their Twitter account on Monday morning: “Cordoba and Aston Villa have reached an agreement for the transfer of Jose Angel Crespo to the English team.

“The defender, after an agreement in principle between the clubs, travels to England today to undergo a medical before signing.”

Tim Sherwood has already brought in Micah Richards, Idrissa Gueye, Jordan Amavi and Mark Bunn this summer as Villa seek to improve on last season’s 17th-place Premier League finish, although Shay Given, Ron Vlaar, Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke have departed.

As well as Crespo, Villa are also expected to complete a deal to sign Lorient forward Jordan Ayew this week, while Adebayor is a target to replace Benteke.

Speaking about Ayew, Wilkins told talkSPORT: “The medical hasn’t been been done up to now but we are just waiting upon that.

“He is in the country and we are looking forward to getting Jordan on board.”

Asked whether there was a chance of Villa landing Adebayor, the Villa assistant added: “I think there is.

“I can only talk for myself, but I’m hoping there is because when Adebayor wants to play he is extremely effective.

“He knows the Premier League inside out, so he would be a good addition for us.”