Barnsley duo close to making switch to Villa Park
ASTON VILLA were last night closing in on signing Barnsley duo James Bree and Conor Hourihane.
Manager Steve Bruce set his sights on the double swoop at the start of the transfer window and his overtures finally seem to have paid off.
It is understood both Bree and Hourihane were in the Midlands yesterday.
The deal to sign 19-year-old full-back Bree is believed to be nearer completion, but Villa are confident of getting both deals through before the weekend.
Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom will move to replace the pair once confirmation has been received.
Leicester City’s Matty James is understood to be on Barnsley’s radar.
He is available for loan following a year out after rupturing his cruciate knee ligament.
Tomer Hemed’s second-half piledriver helped Brighton beat Cardiff 1-0 and return to the top of the Championship.
The striker ensured the Seagulls, in front of a 26,688 crowd at the Amex Stadium, recorded their fifth successive home league win and moved two points above second-placed Newcastle.
Cardiff, who had won their previous three league matches, were heading for a first clean sheet on the road since the opening day of the season before Hemed broke their resistance 17 minutes from time.
It was Cardiff ’s first away defeat at Brighton for 15 years.
The Seagulls clinched victory in the 73rd minute through Hemed, who latched onto a pass from Oliver Norwood before turning on the edge of the area and beating on-loan Hull City goalkeeper Allan McGregor with a powerful shot.
Roy Beerens scored the only goal as Reading got the better of Championship play-off rivals Fulham with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
The Royals went in front four minutes into the second half when Beerens netted on the rebound after Fulham goalkeeper David Button had saved John Swift’s penalty.
It was Reading’s 11th penalty award of the season and though six have been missed, they have followed up to score on five of the occasions.
Fulham should have levelled in the 90th minute, but after Liam Moore had fouled Lucas Piazon in the area, Chris Martin’s penalty was saved by Reading goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.