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Exclusive: Aston Villa are one of two clubs trying to sign Joey Barton

Published 18:18 01/09/08 By By Darren Lewis

Joey Barton leaving prison

Aston Villa are one of TWO top ten clubs that have moved to sign disgraced Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton.

Villa and another as yet unnamed club have moved to take the 25-year-old player, who faces a 12-month FA ban at a hearing on Friday for his part in an assault on ex-Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is believed to see Barton as a long-term replacement for Gareth Barry whose agent confirmed recently that the England star remains a Villa player "for now".

Keep up to date with all today's deadline day deals on our Football Spy blog

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