Aston Villa are on the brink of landing Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe in a £16 million deal.

The Daily Mail says Villa owner Randy Lerner has been in contact with Pompey counterpart Alexandre Gaydamak to discuss a bid for Defoe, 26, who only switched from Tottenham during last January's transfer window.

Villa's move for Defoe, intended to assist Martin O'Neill in his push for a Champions League qualifying top-four finish, has blown Defoe's former club Spurs out of the race for the Londoner.

He started his career with current Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp at West Ham. Redknapp, who left Portsmouth to join Spurs earlier this season, yesterday admitted he had failed to land Defoe.

He said: "I think they've had a massive offer from somebody for him, so good luck to them - I paid about £8m to take him to Fratton Park. He's a good player but we're not going to pay over the top for anyone."