Keane joins Villa on loan

Irish striker Robbie Keane, who joined Los Angeles Galaxy from Tottenham last summer, is to spend two months on loan at Aston Villa, the club announced on Thursday.

The midlands side completed the final paperwork early Thursday and he could be in the lineup for the Premier league match with Everton on Saturday.

That would mean the 31-year-old would play alongside Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan who has linked up with the Toffees for a second loan spell.

It was a case of second time lucky for Villa boss Alex McLeish regarding the capture of Keane.

The Scot was hopeful of signing Keane 12 months ago when in charge of Birmingham who announced they had agreed a fee with Tottenham.

But the player instead went on loan to West Ham before leaving White Hart Lane for the United States last summer.

"We have been pursuing Robbie to bring him in with his extra experience in terms of the attack," McLeish said.

"I believe we could be doing with that when you see one or two of our players getting injured over the last couple of weeks.

"It does leave us a little bit short.

"We've got young kids trying to prove themselves in the Premier League but it's very scatter-gun the experience they are getting with 10 minutes here, 15 minutes there.

"I really believe we could be doing with that wee bit of experience that someone like Robbie provides."

McLeish is confident Keane can still make his mark at Premier League level and who will be keen to show maintain his sharpness ahead of the Euro 2012 finals with Ireland.

Keane said he was delighted to be back in the Premier League even if just for a short spell.

"I'm excited about it and I know I'll really enjoy my time here. It's only for two months but I will do my absolute best in these two months.

"Villa is a great club, a club with a massive tradition and standing in the game and Villa Park is one of the finest stadiums I've ever played in.

"I've been training with the players here for the past few days and it's been great but I'm not naive enough to think I'll just walk straight into the team.

"If I can help and contribute to the overall effort of the team then hopefully I will be of benefit to Aston Villa. That's my aim."

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