Villa miss out on French ace

Aston Villa look to have missed out on Younes Kaboul after his agent claimed the player wants to join Portsmouth.

Villa were hoping to pip both Pompey and Sunderland to the signature of the Tottenham defender but it seems as though the Frenchman has set his heart on Fratton Park.

Martin O'Neill needs to sign a new defender and it looks as though he will now have to turn his attentions elsewhere.

Kaboul's agent Rudy Raba told The News: "He wants to go to Portsmouth - he would prefer to go there.

"Sunderland wanted to know within 24 hours but, while he is thankful to Roy Keane for his interest, the boy has decided he does not want to go there."