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Birmingham City v Aston Villa: Robbie Keane's imminent signing has Alex McLeish's team fired up for derby
Birmingham City were on Friday night handed a boost on the eve of the Second City derby against Aston Villa when they agreed a fee with Tottenham Hotspur for striker Robbie Keane.
An offer of £4 million rising to a possible £6 million has been accepted by the White Hart Lane club, and the Republic of Ireland forward has been cleared to open negotiations, which are expected to take place over the weekend.
Alex McLeish, the Birmingham City manager, has made no secret of his admiration for the 30 year-old, who has found himself on the periphery for his club again this season.Keane would become the second player to join from Spurs this week following David Bentley’s arrival on loan.
It is understood the move for Keane will have no impact on McLeish’s attempts to lure Kenny Miller from Rangers as the manager attempts to add some ammunition to his goal-shy side.
Keane will miss Sunday’s showdown against Aston Villa, who are close to making a signing of their own in the shape of Jean Makoun.
Lyon have accepted an offer worth an initial £5 million, rising to £6.5 million, and the 27-year-old midfielder is set to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours.
“It is on the way,” said Villa manager Gérard Houllier. “He is exactly what we need in an area where we are not blessed with numbers.”
He said he was afraid he would not get Makoun “because since he came back into the team Lyon have moved from the 18th position to the fourth position”.
By kick-off on Sunday at St Andrew’s, Villa could even find themselves at the foot of the table. Despite an FA Cup win over Sheffield United last week, Houllier remains under pressure and needing to win over the fans.
So, what better way to do that than by leading his team to victory over their biggest rivals?
“Don’t be mistaken, I am as hurt as the fans,” he continued. “I am not happy with our position. Nobody is. We are in this together.
"They were great against Sheffield United and I was pleased we could offer them a victory. We need to set our target probably just to escape relegation. That is the fight.”
Speaking of fight, there was plenty of that the last time these sides met, with McLeish describing the rioting by supporters which unfolded on the St Andrew’s pitch after their Carling Cup win on Dec 1 as being like “a return to the dark ages”. He does not expect a repeat.
“Derby games are definitely the ones where you need the passion but have to keep a discipline,” he continued.
Houllier is poised to end John Carew’s exile by handing him a recall, while Bentley is in line for his debut.