Villa aim to seal Makoun deal

Gerard Houllier is hopeful of pushing through a deal to sign Lyon midfielder Jean Makoun.

The Villa boss is expected to fly out to France to speak to the Ligue 1 giants about completing a deal for a reported £6million.

Cameroon international Makoun, who has fallen out of favour at Les Gones, is expected to leave the club this month after making sporadic starts for the club this season.

The 27-year-old's contract expires in 2012 although Lyon will look to recoup some of the whopping £11million they paid for the athletic, defence-minded midfielder two years ago from Lille.