Charles N'Zogbia ready to link up with Alex McLeish at last

Villa have now formally confirmed that they have agreed a fee with the Latics for N'Zogbia.

They will hold talks with the 25-year-old over personal terms and hope to conclude the deal later in the week - subject to him passing a medical.

The Villa website reported: "The club are pleased to confirm that we have agreed a fee with Wigan for French international winger Charles N'Zogbia.

"We will now discuss personal terms with the player and arrange a medical, with a view to completing the transfer later this week."

McLeish looked to have landed the services of N'Zogbia 12 months ago when in charge at Birmingham only for the deal to collapse at the 11th hour over personal terms.

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Back then McLeish's bid to sign the former Newcastle player earlier this summer was halted when Wigan rejected a 9 million bid from Villa.

If all goes to plan, however, N'Zogbia will now pen a five-year deal with Villa.

McLeish has been keen to bring in a new wide player after the sale of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively for a combined fee of around 36 million.

N'Zogbia fits the bill and his efforts during the tail-end of last season played a major part in Wigan retaining their Barclays Premier League status - including a last-gasp winner against West Ham.

He will be reunited with his former Newcastle team-mate Shay Given, who last week became McLeish's first signing of the summer in a 3.5 million move from Manchester City.

However, the Frenchman is likely to have to wait to join up with Villa's first-team squad.

They are currently undertaking a pre-season tour of Hong Hong and N'Zogbia does not have the required work visa.

He will instead undertake work at Villa's Bodymoor Heath training complex - if and when the deal is formally completed.