Villa completed the signing Warnock

Aston Villa completed the signing of Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock on Thursday night for an undisclosed fee - believed to be around £8 million.

Warnock has put pen to paper on a four-year contract which will keep him at Villa Park until the summer of 2013.

The 27 year-old passed a medical and agreed personal terms on Thursday afternoon and could come into contention for Sunday's home Premier League game with Fulham.

O'Neill, who signed Newcastle defender Habib Beye earlier this month, is also set to add Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne to his squad.

Villa have reached agreement with City over the fee for 29-year-old Dunne.

Warnock underwent a medical and agreed personal terms at Villa earlier on Thursday ahead of making the move to Midlands club.

A Villa statement reads: "Aston Villa have completed the signing of Stephen Warnock on a four-year deal.

"We can also confirm that a fee has been agreed with Manchester City for defender Richard Dunne. The player will now discuss terms on a move to Villa Park."

Warnock has made 87 appearances in two years at Ewood Park since moving from Liverpool.

He earned his one England cap to date as a substitute against Trinidad and Tobago during the summer of 2008.

O'Neill has been searching relentlessly to strengthen his back four after inspirational captain Martin Laursen was forced to retire through injury.

His numbers were further reduced after he agreed to off-load central defender Zat Knight to Bolton.

Villa also agreed a fee with Portsmouth for Sylvain Distin but he is likely to move to Everton as a replacement for Joleon Lescott.

Dunne is not the paciest of defenders but a solid sort of player who will compliment the club's only other two centre-backs Carlos Cuellar and Curtis Davies who is dogged by a shoulder problem.

O'Neill has so far spent only a net £6 million after buying Stewart Downing, Fabian Delph and Habib Beye for £21 million and off-loading Gareth Barry and Knight for a combined £15 million.

But the Midlands club will splash out up to £8 million for Warnock plus £6 million for Dunne.

Dunne has spent the last nine years at City, clocking up close to 300 appearances, but the arrival of Kolo Toure and Lescott means his days look numbered as a first choice player.

He is a whole-hearted and committed player who has been sent off eight times in the Premier League, equalling the record number of dismissals held by Patrick Vieira and Duncan Ferguson.

Warnock is relishing the challenge of breaking into the Barclays League top four after making the move from Blackburn to Villa.

He told AVTV: "The main aim is pushing for that top four spot. That's the ambition.

"The manager is buying some really talented players - young and ambitious - and I'm sure they will see that top four spot as a target and goal.

"Playing in Europe is important - playing against the top players on the continent is fantastic - and there's no better stage to do that than on the Champions League.

"If we could do that, it would be a great achievement."

Villa have agreed a fee for Richard Dunne

Aston Villa have agreed a fee with Manchester City for defender Richard Dunne.

The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international is now negotiating with Villa over personal terms.

Dunne's future at Eastlands looked uncertain following the arrival of Joleon Lescott from Everton this week.

Dunne was in the team that defeated newly-promoted Wolves last weekend but that looks likely to have been his final match for City.

Club captain Dunne joined City from Everton for £3 million in October 2000.

It was Stuart Pearce who handed him the captain's armband at the start of the 2006/07 season.

Dunne was on the pitch for every minute of every game that season, both league and cup, and went on to land fans' player-of-the-season honours for the third successive time. Twelve months later, he made history by picking up the coveted award for the fourth time.

The big defender continued as City captain under Sven-Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes and is still a vital member of the Republic of Ireland team.

Aston Villa 1-0 Newcastle

Down Toon: Gareth Barry's shot is going wide, until a wicked deflection off Damien Duff (right) beats Steve Harper

Newcastle's 16-year spell in the top flight came to an end as Damien Duff's own goal doomed them to defeat at Aston Villa.

Duff deflected a 38th-minute shot from stand-in skipper Gareth Barry past his own goalkeeper Steve Harper to seal their fate.

It meant Magpies legend Alan Shearer had failed to work the miracle he was brought in to try and achieve with eight games remaining.

Newcastle have paid the price for a season of instability ever since Kevin Keegan decided to quit as manager in early September and Mike Ashley decided to put the club up for sale.

Joe Kinnear was brought in to try and rescue the situation until his heart problems terminated his involvement and led to Shearer getting the call.

But it was always going to be an uphill task to reverse a season of under-achievement and turmoil in such a short space of time.

Now Shearer has to decide whether he wants to take on the task of trying to help the Magpies regain their top flight status and is due to have talks with Ashley early next week.

He clearly has a massive rebuilding job ahead of them with the future of 15 players, reportedly on £50,000 or more a week, to be sorted out ahead of the less glamorous life of trips to Peterborough and Scunthorpe in the Coca-Cola Championship.

For Villa they can look back on another season of progression despite a late fade-out after automatically qualifying for Europe for the first time in 11 years.

But Martin O'Neill will need to add further quality and quantity to his squad in the summer if he is to seriously challenge for a Champions League place.

Before the kick-off Villa fans gave an emotional send-off to skipper and central defender Martin Laursen, who has been forced to retire because of a knee problem.

Gabriel Agbonlahor came close to giving Villa the lead after only two minutes when he powered a header over the bar from close range following a left-wing centre by Barry.

Villa dominated the early stages and knocked the ball around in confident style - but Brad Friedel was called upon to make the first meaningful save when he deflected a low drive from Duff around the post after he appeared to be initially unsighted.

Villa defender Carlos Cuellar then came to his side's rescue when he blocked a shot on the turn from Peter Lovenkrands on the line.

Obafemi Martins volleyed powerfully over the bar from 12 yards out after good play by Mark Viduka, before Harper reacted quickly to turn over a powerful drive from Craig Gardner.

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor became the first player to be yellow carded after 34 minutes for bringing down Agbonlahor 30 yards out.

Milner's free-kick went straight through the defensive wall but Harper was alert to the situation and able to save at the foot of a post.

The decisive goal came after Nicky Butt conceded a corner, appearing to indicate Harper had not given him a call.

The danger appeared to have been averted when Taylor headed out Ashley Young's centre - but Stiliyan Petrov headed the ball back to Barry, whose fierce shot struck Duff and completely wrong-footed Harper before finding the corner of the net.

Agbonlahor nearly doubled Villa's lead when his flick from John Carew's centre flew just wide of the far post - but Martins almost levelled in injury-time when he headed wide from Butt's free-kick.

Villa began the second half on the attack and Harper was forced to fingertip away an inswinging and powerfully driven corner from Young at full stretch.

Young took advantage of the Newcastle defence backing off to line up a shot from 20 yards out but he curled his effort past the post.

Harper was relieved when Milner dragged his low shot wide when unmarked 20 yards out as the Newcastle defence were prised open with ease.

Newcastle fans chanted "attack, attack, attack" but there was little evidence of their side threatening the Villa goal.

Shearer brought on leading scorer Michael Owen - who has been struggling with a groin injury - in place of Kevin Nolan after 66 minutes.

But Carew should have sealed Newcastle's fate when he miskicked with the goal at his mercy from an Agbonlahor centre.

David Edgar was sent off in injury-time for bringing down Ashley Young - his second bookable offence - and soon after the Magpies' fate was sealed.

Fulham 3-1 Aston Villa

Fulham kept their European dreams alive with a comfortable win over Aston Villa at Craven Cottage.

A brace from Diomansy Kamara and a penalty by captain Danny Murphy ensured the Cottagers overcame a poor Villa side who re-established parity at the interval thanks to a strike from Ashley Young.

But Kamara struck twice in the second half to push Fulham into seventh place and keep them on course for a place in next season's Europa League.

Villa remained in fifth spot but only because Everton failed to beat Tottenham at Goodison Park.

Villa had the first chance of the game when Gabriel Agbonlahor fired wide after getting on the end of a headed knock down by John Carew in the first minute.

Seconds later Fulham replied with Erik Nevland heading into the arms of Brad Friedel following a cross from Paul Konchesky.

Fulham took the lead in the seventh minute when James Milner was adjudged to have fouled Kamara inside the penalty area.

Captain Murphy beat Friedel from the spot to put the home side in front.

Nevland should have made it two in the 11th minute when the ball rebounded kindly to him from the feet of Konchesky.

However, the Fulham striker curled the ball over the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.

But Villa were level in the 14th minute when a cross from Milner eluded the home defence and England international Ashley Young provided the finish at the far post.

Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer did well to deal with a cross from Luke Young in the 22nd minute as Carew lurked with intent.

But the home side almost regained the lead in the 31st minute when Kamara's shot was deflected over the crossbar by Stiliyan Petrov.

Murphy's free-kick found Nevland in the penalty area but the Fulham striker headed the ball straight at Friedel.

In the 34th minute, Nevland got on the end of a fine pass from Murphy but his cross into the penalty area was easily cleared by Villa.

Murphy was booked for bringing down Agbonlahor in the 37th minute as the Villa and England striker looked to break free.

Zat Knight, the former Fulham defender, was fooled into fouling Zoltan Gera a minute later, and Murphy's free-kick forced Friedel to make a hash of his attempted clearance.

But the American goalkeeper cleared Konchesky's corner with some authority and a fabulous counter-attack almost brought Villa a second goal.

Agbonlahor led the attack by sprinting from one penalty area to the other before crossing for Ashley Young to force Schwarzer into a fine save at his near post.

But Fulham were back on the attack moments later but Nevland could not rise high enough to meet a cross from Konchesky.

The home side regained the lead in the 46th minute when Luke Young's attempted clearance was charged down by Kamara and the Fulham striker despatched an angled drive beyond Friedel from 18-yards.

In the 52nd minute a Konchesky free-kick found its way through the Villa defensive wall but Friedel dived low to his right to prevent Fulham going further ahead.

Villa were looking decidedly jaded and Agbonlahor failed to hit the target from 20 yards when he was invited to shoot by a back-pedalling Fulham defence.

But Fulham made it three on the hour with Kamara's second goal of the game.

A corner from Murphy was headed down by Brede Hangeland and Kamara supplied the finish with a cheeky backheel inside the six-yard box.

Villa made a double substitution in the 63rd minute with Luke Young and Nicky Shorey replaced by Emile Heskey and Nigel Reo-Coker.

The visitors almost pulled a goal back in the 66th minute but Gareth Barry's clever chip was just too high to trouble Schwarzer.

Milner then caused Schwarzer some concern with a cross that the Fulham keeper did well to hold underneath the bar.

Focus on Kamara: The Fulham striker celebrates his opening goal

But Fulham were in complete control of the game and Kamara was enjoying a particularly impressive afternoon.

The Fulham striker had been a constant thorn in the side of Knight and Curtis Davies.

But it was Gera who should have increased Fulham's lead when he tried his luck from 25 yards. However, his accuracy was lamentable and it was far too high.

Villa continued to look for a way back into the game but O'Neill's side had run out of ideas.

Their lack of inspiration was underlined by a tame effort from Ashley Young who sent his 20-yard shot harmlessly into the arms of Schwarzer with five minutes remaining.

Plenty to celebrate: Ashley Young enjoys the moment after equalising

Friedel red card overturned

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel has had the red card he received in Sunday's defeat at Liverpool rescinded by the Football Association.

The American was sent off after 63 minutes of the 5-0 drubbing at Anfield after he was adjudged have brought down Fernando Torres after the striker burst through on goal.

Villa's appeal was upheld on Tuesday, meaning Friedel will be available for their next Barclays Premier League game at Manchester United on April 5.

The news is a boost for Martin O'Neill's men, whose bid to finish in a Champions League place has faltered in recent weeks.

They are currently fifth, three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

Liverpool 5 - 0 Aston Villa

Liverpool are breathing down Manchester United's necks in the Barclays Premier League title race after destroying fifth-placed Aston Villa 5-0.

It was the third stunning Liverpool victory in 12 days, having previously put four past Real Madrid and Manchester United.

The champions' lead is now one point - they also have a game in hand - but Liverpool have now scored more goals than Sir Alex Ferguson's men and have also wiped out their goal-difference advantage.

Villa had no answer to a side with a driven desire to take the title from under United's noses.

Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick with a free-kick and two penalties, with the latter one following the dismissal of goalkeeper Brad Friedel for bringing down Reds striker Fernando Torres.

In the first-half Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera had scored, before Gerrard took over with his set-piece onslaught.

Liverpool had Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa back from respective ankle and hamstring injuries that ruled them out of last weekend's win at Manchester United, with Sami Hyypia and Lucas relegated to the bench.

They were joined there by defender Daniel Agger, who has only played one game since mid-December after a variety of injury problems.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill left out striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has scored only twice since before Christmas and was booed by his club's own fans last weekend. Defender Zat Knight was also on the bench, with John Carew and Curtis Davies back in the side.

There was still a solemn start to the proceedings, with a minute's silence following the death yesterday of 56-year-old club secretary Bryce Morrison, after he had flown back from the Champions League draw in Switzerland.

Morrison, who had worked at Anfield for 17 years, suffered a heart attack at home. Both teams wore black armbands.

The game got off to a blistering start, and after eight minutes Liverpool were ahead.

Alonso's header from Gerrard's free-kick cracked against the bar, and Dirk Kuyt reacted quickest to blast the ball home from 12 yards.

At the other end Ashley Young's cross arrowed in from the left and Carew's flick at the near post almost caught out Jose Reina - but the goalkeeper tipped the ball over the angle.

The contest was ferocious, and Gerrard was then rightly booked for a fierce, late, challenge on Davies.

Then Reina made another outstanding save to his left to claw away a towering header from Carew - who played under Benitez at Valencia.

Liverpool were relentless and after 33 minutes they claimed a second goal.

Reina's 80-yard clearance was allowed to bounce once on the edge of the area by a Villa defence pre-occupied with Torres and Riera took full advantage by smashing the dropping ball high into the net.

It could have been three when Arbeloa intercepted a bad Friedel clearance inside the Villa box, but he chose to pass to Torres rather than shooting himself.

But the third was not long coming. After 39 minutes Riera controlled a searching crossfield pass from Kuyt, and was brought down in the box by Nigel Reo-Coker. Gerrard smashed home the spot-kick.

Any thoughts of a Villa revival were crushed after 50 minutes when Carlos Cuellar brought down Kuyt on the edge of the box and Gerrard drilled the free-kick low to Friedel's left and into the bottom corner.

Former Reds striker Emile Heskey had a header held by Reina, but was by now being employed on the left trying to halt Arbeloa and Kuyt's flow down the flank - with Young switched to a central attacking role.

The ploy did not last long - Agbonlahor replaced Heskey after 58 minutes, with Young back on the line- but things got worse for Villa after 63 minutes when Friedel was dismissed for clashing with Torres and Gerrard drilled home the fifth past Villa's reserve keeper Brad Guzan.

Lucas, Agger and David Ngog replaced Alonso, Arbeloa and Gerrard in the closing minutes of a comprehensive victory.

Tottenham 2 - 1 Aston Villa

Harry Redknapp described Sunday's fine win at high-flying Villa as a 'fantastic result'. In what must be our best win in the Premier League this season, goals early in each half from Jermaine Jenas and Darren Bent secured a 2-1 success at Villa Park.

Brad Friedel was the busier of the two keepers, denying Luka Modric in the first half before flying stops kept out Robbie Keane and Modric again after the break. Aaron Lennon also fizzed a shot inches over.

Villa, who came closest when Emile Heskey hit the crossbar in the first half, replied via John Carew's late header but there were no more scares.

"To go to Villa, one of the best sides around at the moment and take three points is superb for us," said Harry.

"Overall I was delighted because they are a difficult side to play against. They've lots of ability and the crowd get right behind them. It was a great performance.

"The players have been terrific and we're on a good run. We're working hard and getting the rewards.

"We were fantastic against United for two hours at Wembley, came back and beat Middlesbrough 4-0 four days later and that showed real character. We then controlled it at Sunderland and scored a late goal for another good point.

"So we're in good form - we've taken 33 points in 21 games since I've been here and you'd take that average, that's top seven form over the whole season.

"I'm delighted with the players, their attitude has been first class."

Harry made a key decision in the first half to withdraw Didier Zokora and introduce Vedran Corluka to counter the attacking threat of Ashley Young on Villa's left flank.

He explained: "I played Didier against Ronaldo when we played United earlier in the season at White Hart Lane and he was fantastic, I played him right-back against Stewart Downing as well, so we're talking about two of the best left wingers around and he's been brilliant.

"I thought he could do that job again but he found it hard going. He over-covered, got too close to the centre-halves and there was always space.

"Villa got the ball out to Ashley Young, he kept running and when he does that you've no chance.

"Charlie (Vedran) came on, got close to him, stopped him getting the ball and did a superb job. We pushed on from there."

Carew: Be Positive

John Carew believes a "confident approach" is key to UEFA Cup progress.

Martin O'Neill's men travel to Russia this week for the second leg - with the tie finely poised at 1-1 after the Villa Park clash.

Many will have CSKA Moscow down as favourites, thanks to their away goal, but Carew insists Villa's form this season should fill the team full of hope.

He told AVTV: "There is no reason for us to fear anything. We must believe we can go over there and win.

"It will be a different atmosphere because they will have their home fans cheering and it will obviously be colder but that's about it.

"We have to go and play the football we play every week. We are confident we can do that and emerge victorious.

"I am looking forward to the game. It is a big match and should be a great experience for everyone.

"I am confident we can do it. We should go there with big belief that we can get through. We can beat them.

"It has been fantastic to play in Europe for Villa this season. That was obviously a goal throughout last season and in the early stages in the Intertoto Cup too.

"Now we are into the UEFA Cup knockout stages and fighting for a Champions League spot via the league too.

"It's fantastic for the club, fans, players - everyone. We should all be proud."

Friedel: No Doom and Gloom

Friedel Villa have lost to Chelsea twice in the Barclays Premier League this season - but Brad Friedel insists there was less despondency in the dressing room after the latest loss.

Friedel says Martin O'Neill's men consigned the Stamford Bridge defeat to the history books very quickly because of the comprehensive nature of the loss.

But the Villa goalkeeper insists the claret and blue troops took a lot more heart from the weekend defeat.

He told AVTV: "It was a completely different feeling this weekend to the one we had after the defeat at Stamford Bridge.

"On that day, we were not in the game from the first minute to the last.

"On Saturday we were in with a chance throughout and arguably in the second half we were the better side.

"We will take encouragement from that. That suggests progress. On some occasions - in any season - but hopefully just once - you have a performance and result that you just consign to history.

"Ours this season was at Stamford Bridge. It was one of those days. We came back and showed a lot of character after that defeat. I'm sure we will come back again because we do have a lot of belief in the dressing room."

Friedel also insists Villa were unlucky to catch Chelsea in a particularly defiant mood.

He added: "It was one of Chelsea's resilient displays. Petr Cech was commanding on crosses while Alex and John Terry did very well in the air against the likes of Emile and JC. We caught them on one of those days.

"On another day we would have scored but that's football."