Aston Villa are hoping to finally secure the services of United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan after agreeing a fee with Chivas USA.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill agreed a fee in the region of €2.5 million for Guzan during the January transfer window but the deal was scuppered after he failed to obtain a work permit.

Now Villa have again reached agreement with the Major League Soccer (MLS) club for Guzan who played against England as a second-half substitute at Wembley in May.

And Guzan's increased number of international appearances — he has been involved in five of the last eight internationals — means Villa are more hopeful of gaining approval.

In addition to his appearance against England, he has started against Sweden and Barbados and came off the bench against Switzerland, South Africa and Spain in internationals since October 2007.

A Villa spokesman said: "Aston Villa can confirm that a fee has been agreed this morning for Brad Guzan and he will become a Villa player subject to gaining a work permit."