Villa battle for French ace

Aston Villa and Sunderland are battling it out for Younes Kaboul after Portsmouth played down their chances of landing him.

The French star has been told he can leave Tottenham this summer and since then Villa, along with Sunderland and Portsmouth, have been chasing his signature.

Pompey looked to be favourites at one stage as the player is said to favour a move to Fratton Park but now their boss Harry Redknapp has played down his chances.

Redknapp now claims he is the outsider behind Villa and Sunderland for the player, who has yet to decide where he wants to play next season.

Kaboul told the News: "I still want to bring in Kaboul but he has spoken with Sunderland. I know Aston Villa also want him.

"I went to see him last year before he joined Spurs, and drank Moroccan tea with his parents. But Roy Keane has met with him now, too.

"I'd say we are third now behind the other two teams."