Villa insist Angel deal still on
Aston Villa are confident that the signing of Colombian international striker Juan Pablo Angel for a club record £9.5million will go ahead.
Reports claim that the deal is being held up because Angel's agent Gustavo Muscardi - who owns half of the contract of the River Plate player - is asking for £800,000 commission.
It was suggested that Angel was being prevented from boarding a plane to Birmingham until Villa guaranteed payment to Muscardi.
There are also rumours that Villa manager John Gregory might have to resurrect a deal for Celta Vigo striker Benni McCarthy because the Angel deal was in danger of collapsing.
But the Midlands club has insisted that there is "no hitch" in the deal for Angel, who is ineligible to play in Sunday's FA Cup third round tie at Newcastle.
They remain confident that Angel will link up with the club next week - providing he passes a medical - in time to make his debut against Liverpool on January 13.
Villa spokesman Phil Mepham said: "There is no hitch. The plan is still to bring Angel over here well in time to prepare for the game with Liverpool.
"Plans are in hand for him to come over here to complete his medical and formally complete the signing. There is no undue delay."
Villa are also aware that Angel's wife is expecting a son in the next few days and saw little advantage in bringing him over here so early once he did not obtain a work permit in time to face Bobby Robson's side.
