Aston Villa Secure Carew In Baros Swap

Aston Villa have swapped Milan Baros for Lyon striker John Carew, who has signed a three-and-a-half year deal.

The Baros transfer was concluded earlier in the day before 27-year-old Norway international Carew agreed to a move in the opposite direction.

The former Valencia and Roma forward flew into Birmingham and sealed his move following a medical on Monday.

Watford's Ashley Young is also expected to sign following his medical after the two clubs agreed a fee at the weekend.

Carew was believed to have held talks with Werder Bremen regarding a move to Germany.

But the big target man, who had a spell in Turkey with Besiktas before moving to Lyon, has agreed to test himself in the Premiership under Martin O'Neill at Villa Park.

Meanwhile, Lyon coach Gerard Houllier made an inquiry for Czech Republic international Baros on Friday.

The 25-year-old, who played for Houllier at Liverpool, has one goal in 17 league appearances this season.

Baros has scored 26 goals in 46 appearances for the Czech national team. He was top scorer in Euro 2004 but has since struggled to rekindle that form.

However, Houllier said: "I know that he is a very strong player, a hard worker, who will blend into the team."

Baros joined Villa on a four-year contract in August 2005 after dropping to fourth choice behind strikers Djibril Cisse, Fernando Morientes and Peter Crouch at Liverpool.

He could make his Lyon debut in a French League match against Bordeaux on Wednesday.