Premier League Rumour Mill: Carson to snub Spurs and join Villa

The 22-year-old shot-stopper will make his international debut in tonight's friendly against Austria after impressing Steve McClaren with his ability between the posts this season.

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Carson is on loan at Villa but will join the Midlanders on a permanent basis in six weeks time after Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez yesterday cleared the path for a £10million move, ending any hopes Tottenham had of signing him.

The former Leeds United keeper said: "Martin O'Neill has been different class since I have been at Aston Villa. He has helped bring a new level of confidence to my game," said Carson.

"When I got sent off against Manchester United in September he stuck with me when he didn't have to. That really lifted my spirits and helped my confidence grow.

"It really made a big difference and hopefully I can repay him. He has loads of enthusiasm which he passes along to his players and you can see that by the way we have been playing in the past few weeks."

And he believes he will be joining team which can qualify for a place in next season's UEFA Cup when he added: "I said when I first went to Villa that we could be in the mix for a top six finish and if we can continue playing the way we are then I'm sure we can qualify for Europe."

Villa's determination to crack the upper echelons of the Premier League will also make it easier for them to resist a £15m bid from Arsenal for striker Gabriel Agbonlahor.

But Thomas Sorensen's future at the club looks bleak after he spoke of his frustration at being left out of the first team.

Carson's arrival on a permanent basis will only hasten the departure of the Denmark international, who is likely to move to the continent.

However, he could also become a target for Bolton as Jussi Jaaskelainen looks certain to leave after failing to agree to a new contract. Inter Milan, Arsenal and Fenerbahce are all interested in his services.

Reading could also be interested as Marcus Hahnemann is currently involved in a contract row with the club.

Another player who could be heading for the Anfield exit is midfielder Mohamed Sissoko. He is set for showdown talks with Benitez over his future.

Chelsea are weighing up a £2.5m move for Hertha Berlin's Serbia international forward Marko Pantelic to cover Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba should they go to the African Nations Cup and are ready to renew their interest in Sevilla's Daniel Alves.

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is prepared to shelve plans to sign Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves because of work permit problems and Swedish goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson has warned he will leave the club if he does not get his place back from exciting young prospect Joe Hart.

Rumour of the day: Manchester City are lining up a move for Lokomotiv Moscow star Marat Izmailov. Reading want to sign Blackburn goalkeeper Jason Brown as they prepare for the loss of Marcus Hahnemann, who is currently involved in a contract row with the club.

No chance: Everton want to keep Scotland international James McFadden, who is a January target for Celtic.