Villa poised to sign Henrik Larsson on loan

Jan 11 2008 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

SWEDISH international striker Henrik Larsson is poised to sign for Villa on loan until the end of the season. The 36-year-old Helsingborgs star was due back in Sweden yesterday for the start of their preparations for next month's UEFA Cup tie against PSV Eindhoven.

But he was seen in England earlier this week and it has now been reported he has agreed to a shock link-up with Martin O'Neill after their successful partnership at Celtic.

Larsson is best known for helping the Glasgow club win four titles in seven years.

He subsequently had a two-year spell at Barcelona, where he won two titles and the Champions League.

He joined Manchester United on a brief loan spell between January and March 2007 – and scored against Villa in a third-round FA Cup tie.