Blackburn have accepted a £2million bid for the American who has already declared his intentions to leave Ewood Park.
However, Paul Ince will not let his number one keeper leave until a replacement has been brought in.
Friedel, 37 has become one of the most respected stoppers in the Premier League.
He is a towering presence between the sticks and at times seems to win games on his own.
Villa see him as a mentor for another new recruit Brad Guzan who is set to join from Chivas.
Guzan, also from the USA, is considerably younger than Friedel.
And Martin O'Neill will gradually ease the 23 year old into the English game with Friedel set to shoulder the responsibility of first team football.
The set up looks promising for Villa who will acquire one of the best keepers in the Premier League along with one of the most promising.