Shorey fee agreed by Villa

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Aston Villa have confirmed they will hold talks with Nicky Shorey and Luke Young after fees were agreed with Reading and Middlesbrough respectively.

Both players are also set for medicals in the West Midlands today as manager Martin O'Neill looks to end his protracted search for re-enforcement's in the full-back positions.

A statement on club website avfc.co.uk said: "Villa are set for talks with England full-backs Luke Young and Nicky Shorey after agreeing fees with Middlesbrough and Reading respectively.

"Both players are due to have medicals and talk terms today".

Shorey had been expected to leave Reading since their relegation last season with a number of clubs reportedly interested in his services.

The Londoner, who has two senior England caps, will fill the void left by Wilfred Bouma, who dislocated his ankle recently, and provide long-term competition for places.

Middlesbrough earlier confirmed they had agreed a fee for some-time England right-back Young, 29.

Young has spent just a season at the Riverside Stadium following his move from Charlton but now looks set to start the season with Villa, who are desperate for cover on either side of their defence.

Young cost Boro a cut-price £2.5m after the Addicks' relegation last year but manager Gareth Southgate is likely to have negotiated a profit on a player who impressed in an inexperienced back four last year.

If the player can agree terms he will finally provide Villa with a first-choice right-back after the departure of last year's incumbent Olof Mellberg, who has since left the club for Juventus.

O'Neill has made no secret of his desire to bolster the Villa squad and add strength in depth.

The former Celtic boss told the club's website, www.avfc.co.uk: "Strengthening the squad has obviously been in our minds for quite some considerable time.

"We have agreed a fee with Reading for Nicky Shorey - a quality natural left-back who played for England 18 months ago.

"As we speak he will be coming up for a medical and hopefully we can agree terms."

O'Neill added: "The right-back position caused us a few problems for us last season in terms of us not having a natural right-back.

"Now we've also agreed a fee with Middlesbrough for Luke Young. So hopefully there won't be any major problems and those two deals can go through.

"Luke is a natural right-back and played for England not so long ago. He did very well for Boro last season and this is a great opportunity for him.

"Obviously the injury to Freddie (Bouma) has left a gaping hole on the left. Freddie had a wonderful season for us last year and this wasn't necessarily a priority for us before the injury.

"But Nicky Shorey is more than a back-up. He's a quality player on the ball and is up for the challenge."

O'Neill added: "Between now and 31 August we need a squad capable of handling all the games ahead."