Aston Villa have swooped for former Manchester City Captain Richard Dunne. The Republic of Ireland defender is on his way to Villa Park to finalise a move after the stopper lost his place at the Eastlands to new signings Joleon Lescott from Everton and Kolo Toure from Arsenal. Speculation suggests Mark Hughes will now hand the City captaincy to the Ivory Coast international.

Toure has a pedigree as a leader having been Arsenal's vice captain under William Gallas and having led the Gunners in the absence of the French international and his successor Cesc Fabregas.