Villa swoop for Dunne

New signings force out City captain

By James Riach   Last updated: 27th August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Villa swoop for Dunne

Dunne: Villa talks

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Aston Villa have agreed a fee with Manchester City to sign central defender Richard Dunne.

The 29-year-old City skipper is travelling to the Midlands for talks about a move to Villa Park, after nine years with the Eastlands club.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is trying to bolster his backline before the end of the transfer window, having already lined up a move for Stephen Warnock from Blackburn Rovers.

Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin had also been linked with a move to Villa Park, although he is set to join Everton rather than be reunited with his former City team-mate.

Republic of Ireland international Dunne has been a first-team regular at City in recent seasons, but following the arrival of Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott has been forced to consider his options.

Comments (22)

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Paul Dunne (Manchester City fan) says...

Mark Hughes has made a big mistake. Richard Dunne is a better player than Toure. Man City player of the year 4 years in a row and Man of the match on numerous occasions. Toure will be found out this season, why did Wenger sell him? Richard Dunne is one of the best readers of the game in the Prem League, is deceptively quick and has this canny ability to make last ditch saving tackles. What happens if Lescott/Toure or both get injured. Quote from Micah Richards - "I've played with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand in the England squad but Richard is right up there with them".

Posted 11:51 28th August 2009

Carole Newton (Manchester City fan) says...

A few years ago Dunne and Richards were one of the best defensive pairings in the Premiership. Its the reason we got to 8th place under Stuart Pearce despite having no decent strikers. We were invulnerable at the back. He was persuaded to stay at City by Mark Hughes and has a long term contract, so he doesnt HAVE to leave and personally I hope he stays with us and fights for his place. I see no sense in selling a very good centre back to a rival! If he does go, I will be very sad

Posted 11:37 28th August 2009

Gerard Keane (Manchester United fan) says...

Villa fans should be delighted to get Richard Dunne. He is an excellent centre half. He looks ponderous and slow at times but he has lots of pace. He will be a Paul McGrath like figure at Villa.

Posted 11:14 28th August 2009

Mike Tomlinson (Manchester City fan) says...

let me try and put your mind at rest Bill,Richard Dunne is a quality defender he has pace and reads the game well.He has been a consistant member of the defence and i for one am very disappionted he is leaving.He's been player of the year at city for the last few years (i know what your thinking,no there wasn't much competition). I hope when city play villa you get to see how much us city fans think of Richard Dunne by the reception he will get. Good luck Richard hope Villa is good for you if you go, and hope villa only lose 2 games a season now

Posted 18:17 27th August 2009

Jonn Gallon (Manchester City fan) says...

dunne will be a big loss but his position is taken! aston villa have made a GREAT signing!

Posted 18:13 27th August 2009

James Williams (Aston Villa fan) says...

I'm glad that Martin O'Neill is going to bring in Stephen Warnock, It's now getting better as we are set to sign Dunne ! I am dissapionted that Everton are going to singn Distin, because i would'nt have minded him ! :)

Posted 18:11 27th August 2009

Mark Judson (Aston Villa fan) says...

Agree with the above we've left it late again. Year after year we sign midfielders than at the last minute ... OOPS we better get other areas covered. No disrespect to MON. Least we didn't end up with Distin and Dunne... remember when Man City we're struggling???? Hopefully Dunne will be a new man and sheperd Davies and Laursen used to. Not a bad signing but not the best. Warnock too not a bad deal, depends on what we paid for him. Would still like to see a 20 goal man at villa something we've not had for a good few years. If we come top 6 i will be happy, without the commanding Laursen the jury is out...

Posted 18:08 27th August 2009

Mark Farren says...

Dunne was exposed by his lack of pace when younger and less experienced. Now he has the experience, that lack of pace is made up for with positional awareness. Paul McGrath played very well for Villa and was never the quickest. Dunne will fill the experience gap Villa lack while the youngsters do the leg-work (and learn from him). Villa fans should be welcoming him as better late than never. His arrival certainly won't hurt the squad.

Posted 18:03 27th August 2009

Gary Sowerby (Manchester City fan) says...

Richard Dunne`s been a great servant to City over the years,he knuckled down and lost loads of weight and was our player of the year 3 seasons running.yes he made one too many costly mistakes especially last season but a lot of that was too do with the lack of defensive midfield in front of him..what really lets him down is his distribution but hes a great tackler and stopper..will be weird seeing dunny in a villa shirt..good luck!

Posted 18:02 27th August 2009

David Gosney (Aston Villa fan) says...

Once again the closet grumble crowd will moan about the signing of ,as put before me a 'overweight, unfit player' but get over it, we have a manager who gets the best out of players and in a few months time your be eating your words and jumping on the glory wagon!! , No disrespect meant of course

Posted 17:44 27th August 2009

Jamie Armer (Aston Villa fan) says...

Dunne will be fitter, leaner and stronger than he's ever been after a few months training at Bodymoor Heath. Look what the fitness guys did for Bouma - and the whole team look super fit once they're a few games into the season. Good player - great experience - but he's a bit of a Ridgewell when it comes to Penalties and Own Goals isn't he?

Posted 17:44 27th August 2009

Lee Stringer (Manchester City fan) says...

Be sorry to see Dunnie go. He's been a brilliant servant & captain to City, Very loyal. He'll do well at Villa, don't think because he's a bit chunky he can't move, you will be surprised. Never seen anybody who will "take one for the team" like Dunnie. It was inevitable with all our new found wealth that he would be on his way. Cheers oil tanker, it's been great!

Posted 17:32 27th August 2009

Dave Gillespie (Aston Villa fan) says...

Great news with Dunne and Warnock coming at least it builds up our squad and adds competition. this unfortunately will not give us a higher finish than 7th whats up with the big name signings

Posted 17:24 27th August 2009

Reuben Boughton (Aston Villa fan) says...

Sick and tired of negative Villa fans. I myself follow the Villa and think Martin O'Neil has done a tremendous job. Get off his back. Dunne is an excellent signing as will be Warnock. Get realistic Villa fans. Right behind you Mr O'Neil!!!

Posted 17:24 27th August 2009

Davo T (Manchester City fan) says...

Dunne is no where near as slow as he looks. Good in the air but sometimes can make the slight mistake but a loyal player. I for one will be sad to see Dunne leave City.

Posted 17:18 27th August 2009

Andrew Regan (Aston Villa fan) says...

Better than we have got but why sell Zat Knight then panic ? still you have to believe the manager knows what he is doing Villa till i die

Posted 17:10 27th August 2009

Debs L (Manchester City fan) says...

I am sad that Dunne is leaving City but yes, I guess he had to consider other options with the defenders we now have - I wish him all the best at Villa and thank him for his years at City, he will always be a City Legend and I hope he still gets a testimonial.

Posted 17:01 27th August 2009

Bob Mcmillan (Manchester City fan) says...

Richard Dunne is fitter and quicker than you would ever Imagine and we will be very sorry to see him go. If he goes to Villa he will give his all

Posted 17:01 27th August 2009

Lauren Owen (Aston Villa fan) says...

I think Dunne would be a great signing for villa, especially if they complete the signing of stephen warnock. that means we would have 8 defenders to pick from when all of them are fit. also i think that before the transfer window ends MON needs to sign a quality midfielder and a quality striker. i would of liked to see us go for Boro's Tuncay but he has just made his move to stoke. also i would like to mention how well villa played against liverpool on monday night, they were brill!!

Posted 17:01 27th August 2009

Carl Turner (Manchester City fan) says...

Great signing and great Sale for City. Dunne is a great player, who will be fully commited. He may look a bit heavy, but he is a rock at the centre of defence, and I'm sure will be for Villa. I would like to see us get another defender now, just to make sure we are not light on the ground at the back. There are alot of versatile players that we have, but a solid centre back as cover would be another great addition, and I am not sure Ben Haim is the man to fill that space.

Posted 17:00 27th August 2009
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