Aston Villa have been given permission to hold talks with Brad Friedel, the Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper.

Martin O'Neill has confirmed the clubs have reached an agreement, with the fee thought to be about £3.5 million, and he will now begin talks with the former Liverpool goalkeeper.

"We've been given permission to talk to the player and that's something that we want to do," O'Neill said. "But there are still lots of things to happen.

"We're in the process of strengthening the squad and this is all part of our efforts to add strength in depth."

Blackburn would not have chosen to lose Friedel, the former United States goalkeeper, but they were unable to compete with Villa’s offer of a three-year contract on a higher wage than the 37-year-old earns at Ewood Park.

Brad Guzan, a fellow American, is likely to be Friedel’s understudy at Villa Park, providing that he can secure a work permit for his transfer from Chivas USA.