Villa optimistic over Keane deal

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11 January 2012-PA Sport

Aston Villa remains optimistic Los Angeles Galaxy striker Robbie Keane will join it on loan although the deal is unlikely to be completed immediately, Press Association Sport understands.

Keane trains with Villa

McLeish plays down Bent rumours

The Republic of Ireland international is poised to join Villa for two months and is already training with the midlands club.

But the eight-hour time difference between Birmingham and Los Angeles means any announcement will probably happen on Wednesday after the expected completion of the paperwork.

Villa boss Alex McLeish would like Keane to be available for this weekend's home Premier League clash with Everton.

Sources close to the club are confident a temporary deal for Keane will still go through.

Keane has indicated he wants to join Villa and is conscious of retaining his match sharpness before rejoining Galaxy in March with the EURO 2012 finals in June.

Villa midfielder Barry Bannan would welcome Keane's arrival.

He said: "If you are getting players like that, it is good for the club.

"Our squad is pretty young and having another wise head alongside the likes of Richard Dunne is only going to help us as a group.

"Robbie has been around for ages and has played at the top level."

Keane's expected arrival is well timed with fellow striker Emile Heskey sidelined for up to a month with an Achilles injury.