Dunne deal for Villa at last

Aston Villa finally completed the signing of Ireland defender Richard Dunne from Manchester City yesterday.

Villa were unable to announce the Dunne deal before the transfer window closed on Tuesday as the Premier League asked for more time to ratify the paperwork which only came through at the last minute.

But Martin O'Neill's team were always confident Dunne would become their player after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

The Football Association were also satisfied with the documents presented by Villa and Premier League yesterday allowed the deal to go through after the window shut.

Dunne, who cost Villa a reported six million pounds becomes O'Neill's second defensive signing after Wales international James Collins signed from West Ham for five million pounds on Tuesday.

O'Neill had been desperate to bolster his back four after skipper Martin Laursen retired and Zat Knight was sold to Bolton.

Dunne's nine-year stay at City was in doubt after the club signed Kolo Toure from Arsenal and then Joleon Lescott from Everton.