However, he is now injured and that sizeable fee looks like a considerable risk. The 28 year old has been plagued by persistent injuries at almost every club he's played for, meaning the Claret and Blue could well have had a lucky break in not signing him.
Martin O'Neill is clearly looking to add experience to a youthful squad and may now turn to Pascal Chimbonda. The right back has been strongly linked with Villa over recent weeks. His signing is made even more likely by the fact that Spurs are close to completing a deal for Rangers man Alan Hutton.
Chimbonda is a player of undoubted pedigree and with Olof Mellberg leaving in the summer Villa need a back-up option. The Frenchman could be the answer.