Lorient midfielder Nicolas Marin is in talks with Aston Villa.

The Lorient playmaker's agent flew to Switzerland to discuss a move with Martin O'Neill while the Villa boss was working as a BBC pundit during last month's Euro 2008, says the News of the World.

Marin, 27, plays on the right of midfield and has been earmarked to provide cover for one of the smallest squads in the Premier League.